A PAIR of “garden shed” classrooms built in the grounds of an English language school could be torn down after just one year due to residents’ concerns.

The two new classrooms were erected at Kings School of English in Braidley Road late last year, but the school had not sought planning permission beforehand.

Bournemouth councillors have now decided that the situation will be reassessed in a year’s time following complaints from neighbours.

David Mead, who lives in a block of flats next to the buildings, said the classrooms were “a travesty”.

He said: “Eight windows look directly in through my master bedroom window.

“It’s close enough for me to throw a cricket ball underarm and break the windows. In an ideal world, which I know we don’t live in, the college would have thought very carefully before embarking on such a cavalier building exercise.”

Mr Mead called for a number of new conditions to be put in place, including that the rooms would only be open from 9.30am until 4pm during the week, no smoking would be allowed, and the windows would be opaque and permanently closed.

Councillor David Smith said the school was “an important part of the town’s economy”, but added: “Businesses and residents have to live together in harmony.”

Cllr Ron Whittaker added: “I think it’s appalling. These are just garden sheds. They’ve got windows in them but they’re basically sheds.”

Cllr Lynda Price said the buildings represented “piecemeal development within a conservation area”.

Members of the committee decided to grant retrospective planning permission on a number of conditions, including that the classrooms will only be used between 8am and 6pm.

The school will have one year to work on changes, after which it can be called back before the council.