Opposition to the planned Skills Centre in Feltham High Street is mounting, with furious residents claiming it will make their lives 'hell'.
At least 25 people living in neighbouring New Chapel Square have signed a petition against the proposals and many more have voiced their concerns.
Campaigners believe the centre will increase congestion on the already-busy surrounding roads and noisy students would shatter the peace during the day.
They are also worried about the loss of the dilapidated Feltham People's Centre, one of the town's few remaining traditional buildings, and say the 'ugly' new design would spoil the look of the conservation area.
Anne Hastie, of New Chapel Square, Victoria Road, said: ”The proposed building's such an eyesore and the noise and congestion will make our lives hell.
“Do we really want hundreds more teenagers spilling out onto the overcrowded High Street, which is already a no-go area for elderly residents in the mornings and afternoons?”
West Thames College in Isleworth wants to replace the People's Centre with the new £20million Skills Centre by 2011, though the Learning & Skills Council has yet to confirm funding for the project.
Its current skills centre in Boundaries Road, Hanworth, already trains youngsters in building skills, catering, mechanics, engineering and hairdressing but is badly run down.
The proposed replacement would measure six storeys at its highest point and would used by about 300 teenagers a day.
A spokesman for West Thames College has told the Chronicle its is still listening to public feedback about the draft designs.Chronicle historian Eddie Menday said the building would be totally out of keeping with the Grade II-listed St Catherines's Church across the river.
“Gordon Brown opened a perfectly good skills centre two years ago and I don't see how the building could have deteriorated so much in such a short time,” he added.
“There's plenty of room to rebuild the old De Brome School site, where the skills centre is now.”
