BUILDING changes are not designed to increase the size of a Thundersley college, its principal has stated.

Seevic College has been granted planning permission to make alterations to its Runnymede Chase campus.

The changes will create a new corridor between the entrance of the building and the restaurant area.

The alterations would also involve adjusting office space to make way for the corridor.

Nearby residents have long complained about litter, noise and parking problems caused by students using the college.

They fear the building changes are part of plans to expand the site.

However, Seevic principal Sarah Wright said this was not the case.

She added: “The development will provide improved access for students to social spaces and the college restaurant.

“It will also ease congestion within the main corridors of the college.

“The development is intended to make better use of the existing space at the campus and will not expand the size of the college.

“The college has no plans to extend its existing site.”

Seevic abandoned £70million expansion plans in 2009, due to a shortfall in Government funding.

The proposals would have seen about 500 more pupils at the college and 70 more staff.

Despite the plans being ditched, nearby residents remained concerned about the impact of a possible expansion.

Responding to the college’s latest plans, Terrence Judd, of Runnymede Chase, said: “Because the majority of the roads in the vicinity have parking restrictions, Runnymede Chase has become the college overspill car park.

“On several occasions, residents in Runnymede Chase and The Chase have had to call the police because they were unable to access their road.

“Until this situation has been addressed by the college, no further expansion should be allowed.”