Concerns have been raised about traffic safety in a “gridlocked” residential area which could see a school converted into 18 homes.

Developers CDC Limited have applied to convert the former St Hilda’s private school on Imperial Avenue into 14 flats with four townhouses being built behind the building. The fee-paying school for 90 pupils opened in 1947 and was closed in July 2014.

The development proposes 24 parking spaces, however residents and councillors expressed concerns about the effects the development would have on traffic and parking in the heavily built-up area should councillors approve the plans next month.

Speaking at a meeting of the Chalkwell Residents’ Association, Chalkwell councillor Stephen Habermel said: “Alleyn Place has been targeted for parking and there’s a business I won’t mention on Crowstone Road which seems to be parking there during the day.

“There’s an ongoing problem with mothers dropping their children off at school and parking on the pavement, which makes getting in and out of Crowstone Road quite dangerous.

“We are arranging to get an officer down to look at the situation when it is at its worst.”

Some residents also considered the area to be a “London Road overspill” and questioned whether traffic schemes such as only allowing parking on one side of the road may alleviate the situation.

Murray Walker, 46, of Crowstone Road, who was not at the meeting, described the area as “pandemonium” during school drop off and pick up times.

He said: “On the corner, where Alleyn Court School is, they park both sides of the road and it makes it very difficult if you’re trying to go one way and someone’s coming another – it’s pandemonium.

“There’s also some building going on at the moment, which doesn’t help, and obviously the development will add to the parking issues but I suppose it’s the same anywhere you’ve got schools – people have to park somewhere.

“Most people have driveways here so I don’t suppose it would bother residents to have single yellow lines on one side of the road.

“The problem is there’s nothing to stop anyone parking here, even zig-zag lines in front of the school.”

However, pre-application advice given to CDC Limited by council officers said “the principle of development is considered to be acceptable and the residential re-use of the site is welcomed.”