New School Plans Rejected

Hurlingham Prep School warned not to continue with building

Plans by Hurlingham Preparatory School for a new building in Putney Bridge Road have been rejected by the council's planning applications committee this week.

The school, which had already started work on the foundations in advance of the scheme coming before the committee, hopes to move from its current premises in Deodar Road in time for September 2004.

A Council spokesperson said, "It is regrettable that the applicant has already started work on the site. This has happened despite warning from enforcement officers and has caused concern to residents. If the school continues with construction activity without a proper planning permission it does so at its own risk."

Councillors said the proposed structure was too big and overbearing and would have a detrimental impact on the local amenities.

The new school building at 122-132 Putney Bridge Road would have three storeys and a semi basement for parking. Its size would expand from 170 to 286 primary age pupils and include 21 classrooms.

The committee also criticised a proposal for a rooftop play area which, it said, would create a nuisance for neighbouring residents.

An application to convert and enlarge existing mews buildings at the rear of the site to provide six houses was also refused. One of the dwellings, which would have been formed by an extension to the end unit, would have come too close to neighbouring properties in Deodar Road.

Planning applications chairman Ravi Govindia said the committee did not oppose the principle of a new school on the site nor the conversion of the industrial mews into residential accommodation:

You can view the application on www.wandsworth.gov.uk/planning ref 2003/2304 and 2003/2529. The school is now expected to submit a new application.

11th December 2003