More than 2,000 signatures collected against school plans

Outraged residents have collected 2,342 signatures on a petition against proposals to move Furze Platt Senior School to Spencers Farm.

Householders from the Cranbrook Drive estate and the surrounding areas have formed a residents group to oppose them, and handed the document to Furze Platt ward councillors on Thursday.

Group chairman Irene Perrin said: "We are delighted to be able to hand over this petition from the Maidenhead North Action Group."

Cllr Hari Sharma (Con, Furze Platt) added: "It's a very strong message from the local community.

"They want to keep this school in the ward."

The group - members of which include a teacher and a retired headteacher - has set up its own website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

A separate online petition against the plans has collected more than 600 signatures.

The plans, which could also see 320 houses built at the new North Town site and 380 built on the current site in Furze Platt Road, have been created by the school and Summerleaze.

They have been submitted to the Royal Borough for consideration for the Borough Local Plan.