A new school for children with special needs could be built in Wallington.

Back in September 2016, the Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHCAT) was given the green light by the Department for Education (DfE) to build a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school in Sutton.

Plans have now been submitted to Sutton Council for the new school, which would be called Futures Academy and be built on Sheen Way Playing Fields.

The idea is to relocate the existing Carew Academy, run by OHCAT, which is based in a Grade 2 listed manor house on the edge of Beddington Park.

The new purpose built SEN school would cater for 246 students aged seven to 18 with autism or learning difficulties.

This would be split into 53 primary school pupils and 150 secondary school pupils. There would be a further 43 places  in post 16 further education.

And there is expected to be up to 120 members of staff including 30 teachers and 60 teaching assistants. The rest would be support staff.

A planning statement submitted by Kier Construction on behalf of the DfE said: “Within the context of the Trust’s vision, the mission of the Orchard Hill Special Free School (Sutton) is to give every child the tools to succeed.

“The school will be driven to achieve this for all pupils through the development of a learning culture that is inclusive, aspirational and focused on assuring success.”

But so far 10 people have objected to the proposals, many saying that a new school would increase traffic in surrounding roads.

Earlier this year a public exhibition of plans took place, which was attended by more than 200 people.

And back in June Sutton South ward councillor Elliot Colburn echoed these concerns.

He said: “We all want to see local SEN pupils have a new school to go to, but local residents have concerns that they feel are being ignored.

“The site is off a set of narrow, already-congested roads, which will only be made worse with construction and school traffic.

“The Fields are home to wildlife, regularly used by dog walkers, but are also prone to flooding.

“Finally, this will mean another green space lost, leaving very little for local people.

“This is not right for local residents and cannot be the best we can offer our local SEN children – they deserve better from us.”

Public consultation on the plans closes on September 20 and a decision is expected by October 15.

If it is approved the plan is for the school to open in 2020.