The construction of a new school appears to have caused a pair of rare birds to fly off - for good.

The £36m re-building of Teddington School, in Broom Road, is just about complete with staff and pupils set to move into their new premises in September.

But residents in the surrounding areas have been left unhappy with some aspects of the building, largely concerning facilities for Teddington Sports Centre - home to Teddington Hockey Club.

At a public meeting on Monday they explained some of their grievances to Richmond Council officers.

Hampton Wick Councillor Tania Mathias said residents’ impressions of the plans when permission was granted for the building in early 2008 was different to the reality.

She added that wildlife in the area had also suffered as a result of the work.

The resident of Trowlock Island, which sits yards from the school in the middle of the River Thames, said: “There are only 60 pairs of Kingfishers in the Greater London area.

“We had one on the island, and they haven’t been seen since the building work started.

“The wildlife on the island has massively changed - residents are saying it’s the first time there has not been nesting swans, it’s massively different.

“Trowlock Island used to have some rare species, it appears they have gone.”

Coun Mathias said other species of duck and bat populations appeared to have been affected and residents have told her none of it was picked up by a habitat survey completed before development began.

Charlie Street, another Trowlock Islander, added: “The catastrophic effect on the waterfowl and bat population this spring is obvious for all to see.”

He said when the school, hockey pitch and floodlights were first built in Broom Road in the early 1960s there was no effect on swans, ducks, moorhens, coots and kingfishers - which he put down to a screen of trees that have been removed for the new development.

Other issues raised by residents at the meeting included the lighting from floodlights, the noise from the sports pitches and the height of the buildings.

Coun Mathias added: “Residents are saying this is not what they were expecting. We hope there will be changes.”

She said verbal agreements regarding additional acoustic fencing and pledges about lighting had not been carried out and the loss of trees close to the river has shocked residents. It is possible the scheme may need to go back before Richmond Council’s planning committee.

Councillor Paul Hodgins, Richmond Council cabinet member for schools, said: “Work is still taking place on site and this includes work on the floodlights to ensure they comply with the requirements of the planning permissions.

“Following a meeting with residents on Monday, we will continue to listen and do what we can to resolve any issues.”