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School supporters on Tuesday. ‘We have waited almost five years for this decision,’ said chairman of governors David Barry |
Victory in school’s fight for new home
Planners support bid to rebuild primary on recreation ground but Mayor Boris has final say
SCENES of jubilation and dismay greeted the decision on Tuesday that will clear the way for Ashmount School to be rebuilt on open land in Upper Holloway.
Up to 100 members of the public, including a sizeable number of objectors, sat through an angry two-and-a-half hour debate by the council’s north area planning committee.
In the end the £6 million scheme which has divided the community was approved by the votes of three Lib Dem councillors, Tracy Ismail, Stefan Kasprzyk and Julia Williams, against that of chairman, Labour councillor Wally Burgess.
The existing 1960s-built, glass-clad primary school in Hornsey Lane is considered to be totally unsuitable, being draughty in winter and too hot in summer.
The issue was whether it should be rebuilt or refurbished on its current site, or rebuilt at nearby Crouch Hill recreation ground at about twice the cost.
The recreation ground is council-owned metropolitan open land and close to wildlife habitats, such as the Parkland Walk.
Cllr Burgess said that the argument that Ashmount was a building not fit for the 21st century could probably be made about many local schools.
“But where would we be if they all wanted to rebuild on open land?” he asked.
Objectors were appalled that more than 50 trees, including many mature specimens, would have to be axed to make way for the school. These would all be replaced over a 30-year period.
Guarantees by planning officers that wildlife, including bats, would be protected under the plans did little to appease protesters.
After the meeting, Cllr Burgess pointed the finger at the Lib Dem-controlled council for allowing Crouch Hill recreation ground to fall into its current semi-derelict state in the first place.
“It’s a good wheeze,” said Cllr Burgess. “Rather than spend money tidying up the rec, which is what they should do, they decide to build a school on it. But by doing this we’re going to lose some of the site.”
Supporters of the recreation ground project said the school would link up with the existing Bowlers Nursery and a youth project. Access to the recreational ground would be improved and a perfect wildlife setting provided for a primary school.
The school’s chair of governors, David Barry, said: “We have waited almost five years for this decision. This is an exciting and visionary scheme and a council consultation has shown that parents are overwhelmingly in support.
“We always argued that you couldn’t rebuild on the existing site and refurbishment still wouldn’t meet modern building standards.”
For the objectors, resident Francis Wilkinson said he was obviously disappointed by the decision.
“I agree with Cllr Burgess that planners haven’t considered the implications for the environment,” he added.
The decision must now be ratified by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn, who could still reappraise it, possibly leading to a public inquiry. |
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