Concerned residents have slammed a Banstead school for its ‘ecological vandalism’ and ‘wanton destruction’ after it cut down a row of bushes and shrubs, exposing an ‘eyesore car park’.

Residents of Heath Close, Banstead, led by 71-year-old Chris Mason, last week wrote a letter – signed by 23 local homeowners – to Greenacre School for Girls.

Surrey Comet:

It read: “Where once we saw green and pleasant trees and bushes, we are now confronted by your less than delightful car park. Why?

“Apart from creating a distressing visual impact, you have doubtless unnecessarily damaged wildlife habitats with your wanton destruction.

“We very much hope that you will allow the vegetation to grow back, and that you will not engage in any such gratuitous destruction in the future. Your school is, after all, named ‘Greenacre’.”

The group also complained the now-unobstructed car park floodlights shine directly into the nearby houses.

Surrey Comet:

The offending view, above.

However headmistress Mrs Redding contested the ‘overgrown and not terribly attractive’ bushes had to be removed, but she has told Heath Close residents further landscaping work will be done to improve the current appearance.

Mr Mason, a retired sports writer said: “It was disappointing she didn’t consult with us before the school cut down the bushes.

“Now we can see right into the car park and it’s an eyesore – this is vandalism.

“It’s very pleasant and green in this part of Banstead and local residents take great pride in that.

“We’d like to keep as much greenery as we can.”

Mr Mason said his aim is to ‘register distaste’ with the school so they will both allow the bushes to grow back and consult residents before any future landscaping work.

Despite this dispute – as yet unresolved – Mr Mason said the good behaviour of Greenacre pupils means he has never had any previous complaints.

Mrs Redding said: “In the longer term it our intention to landscape this border to create an attractive frontage for the school.

“This gardening work has created a lighter and more open aspect for the school that is appreciated by pupils and parents.

“The lights in the car park have also recently been improved to ensure that this is a safe and secure area for pupils, parents and visitors.

“With many young children at the school and vehicles moving in and out this is very important.

“The lights are on automatic timers that switch them on before school starts and off early in the evening when all activities are finished.

“We hope that this arrangement is helpful to our neighbours whilst ensuring safety on the school site.”