A GOLDEN school roof put up in Thornton Heath has been branded an eyesore by neighbours.
Whitehorse Manor Junior School and Whitehorse Manor Infant School, in Whitehorse Road, have been transformed over the summer as the school expands.
But residents have raised concerns about the appearance of the roof's golden 'Tecu' finish.
Richard Hough, of nearby Birchanger Road, said: "It's an absolute abomination and a disgrace.
"It used to be a beautiful building and now they've turned it into this monstrosity which is just modern for the sake of it.
"My mother used to go to that school during the war and she would be disgusted by this hideous new thing."
A teacher from the school, who wished not to be named but lives close by, said she was concerned that residents were not warned properly.
She said: "I'm looking for a word to be diplomatic so I'll probably say it's certainly different."
Andrew Wegg said: "It doesn't fit with the existing buildings or surroundings. Terrible."
Gerry Ryan, Labour councillor for Selhurst ward, said he could understand residents concerns but insisted there were other priorities.
He said: "I'm not on the planning committee so I didn't see the designs and I was a little surprised when I saw it go up. It's quite a combination.
"But I think the main thing when you talk to people is about the need for school places and this will open it up to more people."
Reaction to the new structure was not entirely hostile, however, as Ade George, 17, from Thornton Heath, thinks the gold building is an improvement.
He said: "It stands out. It's definitely more modern and is better than a lot of buildings around here."
The school site, which combines both infants and juniors, is run by Pegasus Academy Trust, which was formed in April 2010.
Whitehorse Junior was one of Croydon's most improved schools in league tables published last December, with a 23 per cent leap from the previous year in children meeting the required level.
