Last week, News Shopper reported how residents, councillors and a Bromley MP had joined forces in a fight against plans to build a school on a treasured local park.

Havelock Recreation Ground has been earmarked as the permanent site for La Fontaine Academy, which opened in temporary accommodation at Princes Plain, last September.

Residents and Bromley Town councillors fear losing a valued green space and suffering traffic chaos on the busy surrounding roads if the plans go ahead.

But what did you think of the plans?

News Shopper launched a poll in response to their campaign to find out whether readers thought the school should be built on the site or not.

With just under 1,500 votes cast, 71 per cent said it did not matter where the school was built as long as it helped meet demand for school places.

The remaining 29 per cent said the school should not be built on Havelock Recreation Ground and that Bromley’s open spaces must be protected.

La Fontaine Academy, which specialises in French, must vacate its current site in July 2016 as it is needed to expand Princes Plain Primary School.

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has been working with Bromley Council to find a permanent site for the school and had identified the park as its preferred choice.

Headteacher Sebastien Chapleau pointed out the shortage of school places in Bromley and that nearby Raglan Primary School and Bickley Primary School are oversubscribed.

He told News Shopper: "Our view, as a school, takes into account the views of local residents and we are sympathetic to their concerns.

"Of course, we do understand their anxiety. However, our view needs to be seen within a wider context - that of the greater good.

"We teach children that sharing things can make us more fulfilled.

“By sharing things, we can often benefit society more generally. Our point therefore, is not solely focusing on the black-white argument generated so far.

“We’re not asking people to give away their land - a public space for the benefit of all - we want them to share it.”

Bromley Town councillors and Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill have all said Havelock Recreation Ground is the wrong site for the school.

Speaking last week, mum-of-four Donna Klander, 34, of Friends of Havelock Recreation Ground, said: "It’s where we walk our dogs and where our children play.

"The residents here are really upset.

"It’s not the school’s fault. We are not against the school."

To help avoid traffic issues, Dr Chapleau said if the plans for the building go ahead La Fontaine's school day would begin at 8.25am, earlier than nearby schools, and finish later, between 3.30pm and 3.45pm.

He said the school would ensure the views and opinions of residents at the heart of Havelock Recreation Ground were sought if the council approved the site as a suitable home for La Fontaine Academy.

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