A Knowsley man claimed he was "punched in the face" by a parent who had blocked his driveway outside a primary school.
The man claimed parents have been regularly obstructing resident driveways during pick up and drop off times at Plantation Primary School. He complained that cars would be '"abandoned" and, on one occasion, he was even punched in the face by one person blocking his driveway.
The claims were raised following a planning application to expand the primary school in Halewood, part of Knowsley Council's plans to deal with increasing demands for school places.
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The plans were discussed at a meeting of Knowsley's planning committee where members heard of concerns over "aggressive" parking and fears for "unbearable" traffic if the school was allowed to expand.
Officers detailed how the temporary classrooms would be placed on part of the schools' playing field while the extension was being constructed, to expand the school to provide three forms per year to cope with additional demand.
The temporary classrooms would avoid "severe disruption" during the building of the extension according to a report produced ahead of the meeting.
Five objections were received to the application, mainly concerned with additional traffic and parking pressures which residents feared could be caused by the expansion of the school.
One objection spoke of concerns over pick up and drop off times stating there is already a "serious problem" with parents causing obstruction resident driveways.
Another objection spoke of fears over additional traffic and fumes, stating the application "fills us with dread" and the expansion could make an the situation "unbearable, unhealthy and dangerous."
Another concern related to overlooking of gardens and houses nearby and its impact on light and privacy.
One resident expressed concerns over drainage, stating there was already a problem of gardens in the area being "very wet."
Another objection referred to a physical assault when a resident tried to reverse into their drive way, while more concerns were raised over "parents abandoning their vehicles, blocking driveways and aggressive attitudes."
One resident spoke of a situation where an ambulance was unable to get down the road due to parked vehicles leading to a neighbour having to be "wheeled down" to receive medical treatment.
Planning officers stated in the report that the temporary loss of part of the playing field would be "appropriate mitigation" while work was underway, with it being noted this was expected to take around 12 months.
Addressing resident concerns over traffic and parking, the report stated that the highways officer had recommended a number of measures included an updated travel plan, the provision of laybys on Hollies Road and the implementation of a traffic regulation order to provide "limited" drop off and collection provision on Hollies Road and provide no waiting areas on Rutland Avenue and Crantock Close.
The report said that some of the first floor windows of the extension would be required to be glazed in order to ensure no loss of privacy to neighbours and added that the extension would "not cause undue harm to amenity through undue dominance or overshadowing."
The report adds that there are plans to remove and level a raised mound near the edge of the site which not only would avoid overlooking but also help with drainage issues identified by residents.
Speaking in objection, one resident, Mr Starkey told the committee: "Parents come and just abandon vehicles" and spoke of being told to "f*** off in no uncertain terms."
He said that on another occasion he had been punched in the face by one person blocking his driveway, leading to stiches, adding; "This is what we deal with."
He added: "We undertstand also the school has got to be done because of the addition to the properties, about 1,500 houses" but asked: "at what expense?"
He said: "We tolerate a lot but it's going to get worse" and asked about the possibility of a residents parking scheme similar being introduced nearby.
In response to a question about the timings of the issues from Cllr Joanne Harvey, Mr Starkey said the situation was worse in the afternoon than the morning.
He said: "it's unbelieveable parking, how you'd never in a million years leave your car."
Cllr Graham Morgan said: "It's going to have to be the schools, the highways and the police to enforce."
He added: "I'd be interested to hear what the plan is to try and sort this out."
Responding, an officer said the council was "aware of issues around the school" and the conditions had been included to mitigate against this.
Following a vote, planning permission was approved meaning the school's expansion plans can now go ahead.
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