A prominent independent school has been criticised for its 'greedy and exclusive' plans for the future of its site.

Proposals for the future management of Harrow School’s estate – which includes more than 400 acres of playing fields and gardens - have been put to the public as part of a consultation by Harrow Council.

Plans for the Harrow-on-the-Hill school include landscaping, new sports facilities and a sport hall, new buildings for music, biology and chemistry, an extension to the Ryan Theatre and a new entrance building.

It also outlines plans for the High Street, including introducing logos and signs to the street, more accommodation for staff and replacing the school's golf course with a coach parking area and new all-weather pitches.

But neighbours say they have not been given enough time to look at the plans and that the development will harm life on the Hill.

Helen Parsons, who lives and works on the Hill, said: “My first concern, which I think warrants a serious investigation, is that these are such big plans they must have been in the making for years and the council must have known about it for some time but just sat on it.

“I have walked the length of the Hill and found only one poster about plans, and I have had nothing in the post.

“My second concern is about the roads. If this plan to pedestrianise the highways is to make their boys safer, what about the safety of all the surrounding schoolchildren when the pressure on the roads becomes unbearable?

“It is all about greed and exclusivity, to make the Hill all about the school as if they’re Oxford or Cambridge.”

A consultation event was held at the school on Thursday, April 23 where people living nearby were able to view the document and discuss the proposals.

Construction will be phased according to the priority of each development and availability of funding, and could take between 15 and 20 years.

The public consultation opened on Monday, March 30 and was due to end on Friday, May 1 but due to pressure from neighbours and community groups it has been extended.

Tim Gosden, who retired in January as vicar at St Mary’s Church, said: “People hadn’t been given enough time to view the documents, and there was a lot of confusion over what exactly the plans were.

“The extension of the consultation is a good step forward.”

Emma Wallace, Green Party candidate for Harrow East, added: “The parks, fields and green belt have all too easily been seen as places for school expansions, luxury flats and car parks by the council.

“These developments completely ignore the fact that they contain a range of wildlife and biodiversity, a space for people to exercise and meet and help communities improve general health and well being.”

A Harrow Council spokesman said: “Harrow School’s estate has evolved and changed over many years since its foundation in 1572.  

"The current consultation is a chance for us to discuss with residents the proposals for the school over the next 20 years ahead of any detailed planning applications, which will be subject to further consultation when they are made. 

“The consultation launched March 30 and has been extended until May 31 to allow for more contributions.  We are holding a further consultation drop-in-session on May 14, which is open to the public."