Members of the public were invited to speak at the meeting of Peterborough City Council's planning and environmental protection committee yesterday, and several residents voiced concerns about traffic problems resulting from the development.

But members of the committee passed the plans subject to 34 conditions, which address issues including access and parking.

The new academy, expected to open in 2007, will be a futuristic 21st century secondary school specialising in maths and science.

The 200,000sq ft school will consist of two long buildings, which will snake around a central "concourse" area and accommodate 2,200 pupils aged between 11 and 19.

It is hoped the huge scale of the academy, which is set to be built at the site of the current Deacon's School, in Queen's Gardens, will allow a "university-type environment" to develop, where traditional lessons will be replaced by lectures, seminars and tutorials.

The planning meeting was held at Peterborough Town Hall and residents were given extra time to voice their opinions because of the importance of the application.

Steve Mattock spoke on behalf of several residents of Queen's Gardens, where the main entrance to the academy will be.

He said: "Of particular concern is the plan to bring school coaches and buses down the road. Queen's Gardens is a quiet cul-de-sac, but this will make it seem like a through road and will change it completely."

David Turnock, of Broadway, city centre, who represented Peterborough Civic Society, said the academy "could be one of the jewels in the crown of Peterborough".

But he said there were concerns about traffic, and called on the council to encourage pupils and staff at the academy to walk, cycle or use the school bus.

Members passed the plans, but agreed that conditions relating to access to Park Crescent, a one-way system at the academy and the upgrading of Queen's Gardens should be brought back to committee for consideration.

The academy is part of the city's £100 million review of secondary education and will replace three existing schools – Deacon's, John Mansfield and Hereward Community College.


The biggest secondary school in Europe

PLANS for the Thomas Deacon Academy propose the biggest secondary school in Europe.

Richard Elston, who represented the Thomas Deacon Academy's sponsors – Perkins Engines and the Deacon's Trust – told Peterborough city councillors the planning application before them yesterday was "one of the most important you will ever have to consider".

He told the town hall meeting: "This project is of both local and national importance. It will be the biggest secondary school in the UK and Europe. Our aim is to work with all the secondary schools to ensure that all our children can achieve more through this project.

"It will become the city's 21st century architectural statement."