A new secondary school has been granted planning permission at the site of a former Sutton Hospital in Belmont.

The new comprehensive will open in September 2018, catering for 1,275 pupils with the first academic year being housed in temporary accommodation.

The main school building is hoped to be completed by September 2019.

The Harris Federation, who currently run 41 primary and secondary academies across London, was appointed as the provider of the new free school.

James Fisher, Principal Designate of Harris Academy Sutton, said: “This is great news. The new building will give our students world-class science accommodation, with the space and facilities we need to excel in the arts and sport.

“Following a really positive consultation with the local community, our plans are already well underway for providing an excellent and exciting education for our first 195 students from September 2018.”

However, Sutton & Cheam MP Paul Scully was “disappointed” with the outcome.

He told Sutton Guardian: “A lot of residents are rightly unhappy with some of the conclusions the council have made. We desperately needed a school but not at all costs.”

Mr Scully argued that the plot of land was too small for students who will have “nowhere to play”.

He added: “There’s a huge amount of concern about traffic, the road is on an awkward junction (Brighton Road) and with the increased traffic that will follow without tackling the junction it will be a wholly mess.”

The MP conceded that it was too late to campaign against the decision and he would now focus his efforts on “making sure we can get kids in and out safely”.

“The last thing we want is kids coming to school and there being an accident. We need to make the best of it for those living close by.

“It’s a shame, we have known for at least ten years we have needed a new school and because of previous inaction it has now been rushed through.”

Cllr Wendy Mathys, Chair of the Children, Families and Education Committee at Sutton Council, said: “As a council we are passionate about giving our young people the very best start in life by providing the opportunity to learn in an environment which will offer a first-class educational experience.

“I am therefore delighted that these plans have been approved and we look forward to continuing to work with the Harris Federation to deliver an excellent secondary school for Sutton.”

The school will be available to 11-19 year olds and the application process commences in September of this year.