The size and massing of buildings proposed for the new £30 million Elmgreen Secondary School in West Norwood have run into significant local opposition from local residents. Nearly all residents support the principle of a new school, as do local Conservative councillors, but many people living near the site consider that a 1,100-pupil establishment is too big.
Current plans are now out for consultation and involve the destruction of 74 out of the 108 trees on site. A public exhibition takes place at the West Norwood Library on Wednesday 19th July from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
In the meantime, previously vocal supporters of the school, including the Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood,
exercise by the new Labour administration at Lambeth. Neither has any action been taken by Labour Cabinet members to pull in the £50,000 owing from Ujima Housing Association for a Section 106 contribution to the cost of a proposed extension to the Tulse Hill Controlled Parking Zone.
"The risk is that no one will be winner," says Thurlow Park Ward Councillor Irene Kimm, who is a member of the Elmgreen School temporary governing body. "The parents may get their school late and the residents may be compromised over the height and size of the buildings."
Lambeth planners, who are independent of Labour bosses running the Town Hall, say that if all goes to plan the Council's Planning Applications Committee will consider the application to site the school in Elmcourt Road on Tuesday 13th September with a site visit on Saturday 11th September.
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