Builder to develop new primary school after 'easement' granted

Demolition at the Putney Hospital site on Putney Common is set to begin this week. Wandsworth Council has appointed construction company Durkan to redevelop the derelict site into a new primary school.

The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators have now granted the ‘easement’ which allows the access to the site to be rearranged for the new school and flats. This means the project can now get underway.

Visualisation of new school building

The new school – which will be called Putney Oasis Academy - is expected to open its doors in September 2016.

The Council say that the cost of building the school will be largely funded by the sale of land for 24 flats at the northern end of the site, which is currently home to the disused nurses’ accommodation block.

Just over half of the land which was used by the hospital is needed for the new school and flats. The rest of the land, which is mostly covered with ancillary buildings or tarmac, will be grassed over to form an integral part of Putney Lower Common.

The hospital was closed to patients in 1999. It has remained vacant ever since and was acquired by the council as the site for a new school in 2012.

Education spokesman Cllr Kathy Tracey said: “After 15 years of dereliction this site will now be transformed into a new primary school for the people of Putney. These extra places will help to meet rising local demand and will give parents greater choice when it comes to selecting a school for their children.”

Chairman of the conservators David Devons said: "Following negotiation of the easement by one of the country's leading firms of chartered surveyors, we are pleased that work can now commence to restore and enhance Common land and enable this derelict site once again to benefit the local community."

A new 420 pupil academy is also being built in Earlsfield and the Council say that extra classes will be unveiled at four other primaries this September.

August 18, 2014