A new primary school in Twickenham will open on Monday after being granted a one-year temporary dispensation.

Twickenham Primary Academy, based in Colne Road, applied last October for full planning permission at the Heathgate House site near Twickenham Green before subsequently withdrawing the bid.

Furious residents fought the planning application claiming the school would create traffic "chaos" but dispensation was granted to Gems Learning Trust from Lord Nash, parliamentary under secretary of state for schools, to open the free school temporarily.

Colne Road resident Alex Lovett-Turner said: "All our effort was for nothing because they have just gone ahead and done it anyway.

"I think it is going to be a disaster in that road for children and residents - it will be literally gridlock.

"I couldn't get out of the road for quite a while last week for all the trucks and cars so if that is what it is like now, I dread to think how it will be when the school is there.

"I know we are desperate for schools but there has to be a better and less dangerous place than Colne Road."

The school opens its doors to 46 reception pupils on Monday, with seven staff already working at the school, including principal Pippa Hogg Andrews.

Receiving permitted development rights from the Department for Education (DfE) allows the learning trust to use the former office block as a school for a year.

A formal planning application to remain at the site on a permanent basis will be submitted next month.

Gems Learning Trust's senior manager Jodie Croft said: "The initial planning application was only partial and we were advised by the planning authority to withdraw that and submit a full one.

"We would very much like to stay at Heathgate House, it is the right size, the right location and where the school is most needed.

"We have worked with the local authority very closely to see which areas require new schools and this one, in particular, does.

"We would very much like that to be our permanent home."

She added she is aware of residents' concerns over congestion and travel plans.

The office building had been vacant for well over a year, having previously housed KP Nuts and Richmond Housing Partnership.

Last year, the property had temporarily occupied by a group of 12 squatters.

A spokesman for Richmond Council said: "We haven't received a formal application."