Plans to build a secondary school near Alexandra Palace in Wood Green have run into an early barrage of criticism.

Haringey Council's £25m proposal will see a 1,080 pupil school open its doors next to Station Road in 2010. But fears are growing that the surrounding area will be unable to handle the demands of the new school.

Representatives from the Parkside Malvern residents association (PMRA) and the Avenue Gardens residents' association (AGRA) say the designated site near Alexandra Palace train station, is a white elephant and doomed to fail.

AGRA chairman, Simon Fedida said: "Demand for secondary school places is expected to increase by only 500 until 2012. This does not justify building such a large capacity school.

"There are not enough staff parking spaces on site. This could cause parking stress problems in surrounding streets.

"Surely expanding existing schools would be a better way to cater for rising pupils numbers."

Marcus Ballard, vice chairman of PMRA, believes the size of the scheme means other schools in the immediate area will suffer a fall in pupil numbers and income "This would be a disaster for Wood Green, Hornsey and the Heartlands," he said.

But cabinet member, Cllr Liz Santry has trumpeted the under-fire scheme. "The new school will be an important part of the excellent education we provide," she said.

Meanwhile Haringey Council has issued an invitation for sponsors to come forward with proposals to run the school.

Early in 2007 residents of Haringey will be asked to comment on any sponsors' proposals. The final decision will be made by the Independent School Organisation Committee in April 2007.

Residents can put their views to the council at a public meeting on October 3, at the Decorium Centre in Western Road, Wood Green, between 6pm and 8pm.