PLANS for a new £20m academy school in Southampton have been met with a mixed reaction from nearby residents.

An exhibition showcasing the plans for a new Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill revealed how the stunning new buildings would look for pupils if planners back the proposal and funding is guaranteed by the Government.

Formed by the merger of Oaklands and Millbrook schools in 2008, where academy students are currently split between, the proposal is also hoping to pass through the Government’s review of academies for guaranteed funding.

But while parents at the exhibition welcomed the state of the art classrooms planned for a site at Five Acres, next to the Cedar School, many residents said it should be developed on one of the existing Oaklands or Millbrook sites. Concerns were also raised at the exhibition for the level of traffic that will use Redbridge Lane – the planned academy’s main access point.

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Developer Carillion said comments by visitors will be taken into account before it submits its application to the city council next month.

If approved, work could start in January.