Sikh primary is a monstrosity that breaks planning rules, say residents

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The Sikh Khalsa primary school in Southall is set to open in September but Ealing council is investigating after residents complained it is a "monstrosity" which will invade their privacy.

They say planning documents failed to show how close the school would be to their homes, but the voluntary-aided school claims plans are correct and residents misinterpreted them.

The school, which is costing more than £20million, received £13.2million from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and £4.9million from the Learning Skills Council.

Thousands of pounds were also raised at the nearby Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara - the largest Sikh temple outside India, which is in charge of the school. The temple's committee pledged to build the school "for Sikhs and children of all other faiths in the community" and was granted permission in 2007. It is being built on the 12-acre site of Norwood Hall, a Grade-II listed building designed by Sir John Soane. But residents of Cranborne Avenue claim the size of the building - which is in a conservation area - bears no resemblance to the images in the planning permission. They have protested to Mayor Boris Johnson and Southall MP Virendra Sharma.

Amrik Singh, a 59-year-old mortgage adviser, said: "It is in blatant contravention of Section 3 [of the Ealing Unitary Development Plan] that states any development should be small-scale and sympathetic to its setting." Michael Searle, chairman of the Norwood Green residents' association, said: "This towering monstrosity is unbelievable."

A spokeswoman for Ealing council said: "The council has been contacted by residents concerned that building work is not in line with the planning permission. If the school was found to be in breach the council would, if necessary, take enforcement action."