DEVELOPERS behind a controversial Marlborough homes scheme intended to fund the building of a new St John's School on a single site will be missing from a public meeting in the town hall tonight.

The special parish meeting has been called by the town council at the request of members of the newly-formed St John's Neighbourhood Residents' Association.

It was set up by residents concerned at the size of the proposed homes development on the lower school site in Chopping Knife Lane.

To fund the building of a new single site school on the upper school site in Orchard Road, St John's needs to raise more than £20 million.

Originally it was thought about 150 homes would be built, but developers Crest Nicholson have confirmed they want to build at least 220 homes.

The residents' association fears the density of the development could lead to gridlock at peak times on the A4 because of the poor access on to it from Chopping Knife Lane.

Crest Nicholson have told the town council they have been involved in consultation with neighbours but will not be attending tonight's meeting to avoid any confrontation.

St John's School and its architects Format Milton have also been invited to the meeting, which starts at 7pm.