New expansion plan for St Mary’s and St Peter’s CE Primary School sparks fresh concerns
6:50am Friday 29th January 2010 in News By Chris Wickham
New plans to enlarge a primary school have not appeased parents concerned at a lack of outside space for their children.
Richmond Council withdrew an application for additional buildings at St Mary’s and St Peter’s CE Primary School, in Teddington, earlier this month after opposition from the community and sporting organisations.
The Football Association, Sport England, the London Playing Fields Foundation and Fields in Trust lined up to condemn the previous plans, which would have left the Somerset Road school with about a quarter of the outdoor space needed. The previous plans also would have required a relaxation in rules from the Government to get the go ahead.
But Andy Stallan, a director at Alliance Planning - which submitted the application - said the new plans sought to address the concerns of Sport England.
He said the new plan involved a redesign of the outdoor elements of the scheme, with an increase in the playing field area, grassed area and the inclusion of a multi-use games area.
Jill Richards, mum of a pupil at the school, said: “Our issues regarding outside space still remain. There was no one at the exhibition who could advise on how exactly how much less space the children will have left for recreation.
“Our initial estimates put it at 50 - 60 per cent less than Government guidelines.
“The proposal waxes lyrical about how improved the outside space would be but the fact remains that the site is still only large enough for a two form entry school and not a three form entry school.”
She added: “We clearly overheard a governor say the ’objections raised by the parents are ridiculous and I can’t see what the problem is’.
“The changes come at a high price to the pre-school children, who will have to permanently play in a nasty small concrete area.
“We are tremendously concerned.”
A Richmond Council spokesman said: “A revised planning application has been submitted for the extension to St Mary’s and St Peter’s Primary School. Once the documentation has been validated the standard consultation period will begin.”
