A PETITION to stop Seevic College's expansion plans has been presented to Parliament.

The document claims residents feel they have not been properly consulted about the £70million proposal to redevelop the college and sports hall.

Castle Point Council has agreed to lease the land, behind Runnymede swimming pool, to the college.

Castle Point MP Bob Spink, who presented the petition, said a "few hundred" people had signed it, but would not be specific about the number.

He said: "Residents, and me, as their elected representative, were only informed of plans for this area at a very late stage when those plans became hardened."

However, Geoff Arnott, Seevic's principal and chief executive, said more than 300 residents had been sent letters about the plans and invited to a public exhibition, which is still on show.

He said: "We have received many positive comments and some concerns, many of which we have been able to address. We have, as far as I am aware, never failed to respond to residents who want to talk to us about this.

"We are generally very pleased by the public response and look forward to creating a world-class centre of learning."

Castle Point Chief executive David Marchant said the redevelopment of the college was discussed by the council's cabinet last month and the webcast is still available for viewing on its website.

He added: "There is no secrecy. To the contrary, Castle Point has been vocal in its support of Seevic's redevelopment plans."

Residents can comment on the plans until the end of July.