ANGRY residents came out in force on Tuesday to oppose Croydon Council's plans to build a new school on green space in South Norwood.
The proposed secondary school on the site of Croydon Arena and Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT) came under fire at a consultation meeting.
Residents are worried it would infringe too much on protected metropolitan land.
The council wants to build the specialist sports and science school in time for September 2014, as they try to meet the rising demand for school places.
The meeting at CALAT, attended by Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell, was the second in the consultation process. Those attending the first had complained they were given inadequate information.
Campaigner Sue Kennett said: "It was almost as if they didn't want us to come. They seemed only to be putting flyers up in libraries outside the area. But it's a completely inappropriate plan, given the space and location of the school."
The council said it wants to develop existing buildings on the site and that the school would form part of London's Olympic legacy plans.
But Dr Paula Goodman, of Macclesfield Road, said the council was looking in the wrong places.
She said: "Why, when it has been shown that there are other areas like Thornton Heath which need the extra places, would you try and take one of our only bits of green space?"
A council spokesman said it was still in the process of consulting with residents. The consultation process continues until March 28.