Sadiq Khan is set to make a decision on contentious plans to redevelop a West London school, a scheme previously rejected by the local authority. Hammersmith and Fulham Council refused the proposal, which sought to demolish the Phoenix Academy near White City and rebuild it alongside 307 new homes, in April.
Plans for New Education and Residential Blocks
The redevelopment, put forward by applicants Future Academies and London Square, targets the school's western buildings, which have been described by the academy as "outdated, underused and unsafe". The plans envision four new education blocks, reaching up to four storeys, and six residential buildings, some as tall as eight storeys. Of the 307 planned homes, 90 were designated as affordable, all earmarked for social rent.
Local Opposition and Support
However, the scheme has faced significant local opposition. A petition organised by the Wormholt Residents Association (WRA) gathered 718 signatures, and during the public consultation phase, the council received 60 representations in favour of the project, compared to 34 against. Critics of the development say it will block out light to many of their homes.
Developer's Argument for Investment
At the council’s Planning and Development Control Committee meeting, Mark Smith, London Square’s development director, said: “These proposals represent the best chance our school has of securing the more than £40 million that we need to make improvements to the academy. Members will be fully aware that these costs are spiralling upwards each month, linked to inflation, and we do not have the luxury of a wait and see approach when it comes to the future of the education that our children deserve.”
Council Rejection and Mayoral Call-In
Councillors voted to reject the application due to concerns about its scale and consultation with the community. The proposal has however been given a second lease of life after the mayor chose to call it in, meaning he, or more likely his deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and the fire service, Jules Pipe, will determine it themselves. A public hearing is to be held at City Hall ahead of any decision being made, at which parties including the council and the applicant will be asked to submit evidence. No dates for the hearing are currently listed on the Greater London Authority (GLA) website.
Resident Group's Criticism
Julian Vallis, a local resident and treasurer at the WRA, accused the applicants of bypassing local democracy “to force a mayoral call-in”. He said: “While the GLA has intervened, in failing to notify us it has also failed itself in its assessment which fundamentally misrepresents and misunderstands the case. The design is profoundly problematic. How both LBHF [London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham] and the GLA can categorise a development plunging 259 existing homes into darkness to build 307 new ones—a net gain of just 48 well-lit properties—as causing 'less than substantial harm' to the Conservation Area is incomprehensible. This scheme is devoid of ambition, offers no new infrastructure, and ignores adjacent developments and provides only a marginal benefit of a 'better' school—not a new school or anything additive to the community.”
Mr Vallis said that while the WRA is “angry and disappointed” with the outcome it is not unexpected. “In this David and Goliath battle, we remain as motivated as ever,” he said. “We’re working in tandem with our MPs, ward councillors, and neighbouring residents’ associations to mount a robust defence of our community and beautiful Conservation Area against this unworkable monstrosity of an application and put forward our much more ambitious and comprehensive masterplan for the area to reverse 50 years of chronic under investment in the area.”
No Comment from Applicants or Mayor
Both Future Academies and a spokesperson for the mayor said they cannot comment at this stage.
