PLANS to to build a controversial overspill car park at the site of Irvine’s new primary school have been shelved - at least for this year.

Construction on parking for an additional 50 cars at Elderbank Primary will be deferred beyond the opening of the new school, to see if they are really needed.

The news is expected to come as a relief to neighbouring residents, who were appalled to discover the extra car park was to be built on their doorsteps, but believed there was nothing they could do to stop it.

The new Elderbank Primary School - currently under construction - was approved by NAC planners in September 2012, on condition that additional parking be built ‘within walking distance’.

However, local householders had no idea where the car park might be built till they woke up one morning to find the JCBs moving in just before Christmas.

At the time, Peter Akavicus of St Kilda Bank, commented: “I just looked outside to see a JCB cutting through the trees at the back of the house.

“When I spoke to them they said they were testing for a 50-space overspill car park for the new school.

“When we all got to see the original plans there wasn’t anything about a car park at our back door, which is far enough from the school anyway that it won’t be the school using it.” However, it seems planners have now had second thoughts about whether the additional parking is really necessary.

Now, when the school opens, the only extra parking will be on an area of land currently used by construction vehicles. The additional spaces may ultimately be built, but not before monitoring of school traffic, to see if they’re absolutely required.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council confirmed: “A condition was attached to the original planning consent stipulating the creation of additional car parking within walking distance of the school.

“When the school opens, an area of land currently used by construction traffic will provide additional car parking. This facility will be monitored to ensure that the parking provision is suitable in the long term and complies with the planning condition.”