A college has been accused of "bribing" staff with the offer of an extra day's leave, at taxpayers expense, to pack-out a key planning meeting tonight.

Nescot College has submitted plans to build 91 new homes on fields it currently uses to care for farm animals in Reigate Road, Ewell.

The college needs to sell the land in order to fund the renovation of its main campus, but hundreds of residents have raised concerns over traffic, loss of green space and other issues.

In January, Nescot was granted planning permission to create 21st Century facilities for its students and has secured a £7million government grant to help do this. 

But a further £14million of match funding is required for the redevelopment and it may lose the Government funding if the improvement works are not completed by next September.

Plans for a care home on the site were thrown out by Epsom and Ewell's planning committee in April.  

Tonight, at 7.30pm, councillors will consider the planning application for the homes. 

This morning, angry residents contacted the Epsom Guardian slamming the college for sending an email to staff saying they will be given an extra day's leave if they attend the meeting tonight, from 6.30pm - a move they construe as an attempt to prevent residents from getting places in the council chamber to voice objections to the plans.  

Nescot has said that the email did not tell staff they had to attend the meeting, that it is normal practice for staff to accrue time off in lieu for attending events outside of normal college hours and they will not be paid to attend the meeting.

The email, which was sent to staff members by Donna Patterson, director of human resources at the college, said: "As you are aware this Thursday the planning committee at Epsom town hall will be considering our planning application to build housing on the land currently occupied by the animal studies department on the college's farm site. 

"This will help fund the on-going development of the college campus.  If you are able to attend to show support for the collegeﾒs future development we would be most grateful.

"If you are able to attend the meeting at 6.30pm for the duration of the meeting you will be entitled to one days TOIL [time off in lieu], which can be carried over to the next academic year.

"Please come along and support the college and help secure our future.  Thank you."

Ewell Resident Denise Williams said: "Since Nescot staff did not attend in numbers at the previous linked planning committee meeting it is clear that this is an undisguised attempt to subvert the legitimate process of the committee by preventing those local residents with an interest from attending and displacing them with those who have a financial incentive to attend.

"This is clearly highly irregular and very unfair to local people who have a right to witness the planning process if they wish.

"I would also question whether the college has authority to spend public money in the form of paid leave in this way. 

"It would be interesting to know whether those with oversight of the college are aware of this."

Another resident, of Castle Avenue, who asked not to be named, said: "It's very out-of-hand to do this.  It's just bribery. 

"It's offering a reward to those people who go with the intention of swamping the town hall.  It's not very ethical.  I do object to the tactics."

She said people living in her road were informed of the email by the local Residents' Association who sent notes through letterboxes.

She said the note said: "They intend to bribe their staff to pack out the meeting and push the plans through. 

"We need to respond by attending earlier and in larger numbers. 

"Please attend the town hall before 6pm to stop the development."

A spokeswoman for Nescot said: "Members of staff had already expressed an interest in attending the planning meeting this evening, and were sent an email clarifying their position with regards to time off in lieu.

"It is normal working practice to accrue time off in lieu for attending events outside of normal college hours.

"The email was sent for information, and without any requirement of attendance at the meeting.

"Many staff live locally and have an interest in the application both as residents and employees of Nescot.

"Staff will not be paid for attending the meeting, but will be given back the time they have given up."

An Epsom Council spokesman said that 120 people can be safely accommodated at the town hall for the meeting and that if the public gallery becomes full, the council chamber will be used to seat visitors.

He said: "The more that see democracy in action the better."

The meeting will start at 7.30pm in the council chamber of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, in The Parade, Epsom.

What do you think?  Leave a comment below or contact Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.