PLANS to almost double the capacity of New College have led nearby residents to form a protest group against the development.

And dozens of fed-up residents want a plan to demolish Oakfield campus to be scrapped so it can be offered as an alternative to the college’s expansion proposals.

The college insists it is exploring other premises, including Oakfield. But planning permission has already been granted to flatten the building.

As reported by the Adver, New College has submitted a planning application to build a 5,300 sqm annexe to its Queen’s Drive campus, which will increase the college’s capacity by 40 per cent. The college says the plans are to cope with growing student numbers.

But those living close by say such plans will make their lives a misery.

John Brownlee, 67, chairman of Swindon’s Walcot and Parks Community Group (SWAP), said: “The highest building New College has is two storeys. They are talking about going up to four storeys so it’s not surprising the residents who live nearby are going ballistic.

“Traffic is already pretty hectic and it is already quite dangerous for students who ignore the pedestrian crossing. Then there is the parking spaces, the college is going to lose some of its parking because of the new building. The students already park their cars down the side streets – it will be chaos.”

Mr Brownlee, of Chickerell Road, Park North, has urged residents to write to the council to express their opposition to the college’s plans and to object to a planning application by the University of Bath to pull down the Oakfield site.

The campus, in Marlowe Avenue, has been empty since the summer of 2008 when the University of Bath pulled out of Swindon.

But last month the university, which still holds the lease, agreed to knock the building down before handing the site back to Swindon Council.

“What we are saying is don’t build a new building, why not use the old Oakfield campus in Marlowe Avenue? They have a three-storey building and plenty of land, it is ideal,” said Mr Brownlee.

Fellow campaigner Tricia Neville, of Kingswood Avenue, said the Oakfield campus would be perfect for New College.

Tricia said: “The Oakfield building had a revamp and there is no reason why New College could not have it as an alternative. We have had enough problems from the college with parking and litter strewn all over the field - these expansion plans will just make things worse.”

New College principal Graham Taylor said: “For New College to continue to provide the best possible services for the people of Swindon, expansion is essential.

“We are exploring the possibility of using other premises, including Oakfield, but our understanding from Swindon Council is that it will be demolished. However, it can be difficult for a college to operate across two sites, even if only 15 minutes apart.”

Swindon Council, which owns the Oakfield campus land, said: “We’re not aware of any interest from New College in the Oakfield site, and for this to be progressed there would need to be an initial conversation between three parties - ourselves, New College and the University of Bath, who currently hold the lease.

“In the meantime, the New College application to expand their current site will be dealt with by the usual planning process, which is likely to involve consideration by the planning committee.”

Councillor Peter Mallinson (Con, Walcot) said he would welcome New College moving into the Oakfield campus, but only if the site met the college’s needs.

“If the college says Oakfield is exactly what they want I would be fully supportive because local people would prefer the building to be used.

“As a ward councillor I would prefer a building is used rather than left empty for any length of time because once it gets into a run down, shoddy condition it’s not long before it gets vandalised.”