A SPECIAL school in Win-chester plagued by noise from the nearby M3 faces yet another threat.

Staff and governors at Shepherds Down School in Compton near Winchester fear a new housing development will raise already troublesome noise to an intolerable level.

Now Winchester MP Mark Oaten has added his voice to the fight to protect the school from a daily bombardment of disturbance.

Ofsted inspectors have already criticised the noise levels near the school, which caters for children with learning and other difficulties.

Now a new housing development in Tilden Road, directly opposite the school on the other side of the motorway, has been approved on appeal, and the plans include an acoustic wall.

It is feared the wall may "bounce" noise back over the M3 to the school.

Following a plea from the school's governors, Mr Oaten has written to the Highways Agency asking for noise barriers on the school site, even as a temporary measure until the road can be resurfaced.

If the agency will not do this Mr Oaten has said he would like confirmation that the new housing development and acoustic wall will not create more noise for Shepherds Down.

In the past the school has asked for a new noise reducing surface for the M3 but the Highways Agency has said this will not be a possibility for another five to ten years.

The chairman of governors, Tricia Caffyn, said she was hopeful Mr Oaten's letter would get a response from the Highways Agency.

"We're hoping someone will say this needs doing, and it needs doing quickly," she said.

Mr Oaten said: "There has been a problem for many years with noise at the school but this could be made worse by this barrier on the opposite side. This makes it even more important for the Highways Agency to act.

"It's a wonderful school and does an excellent job, made harder by the distraction of noise from the motorway."

Tony Gazzard, headmaster at Shepherds Down, said the school was very grateful to have Mr Oaten fighting their case.

"We're a special school for children with learning and other difficulties, and sometimes it's hard enough to get their attention let alone with the noise of the motorway," he said.