Pre-consultation on expansion of Hackbridge Primary School

Pre-consultation will be taking place on 17 March 2015

17 March – Time 1pm – 5pm

at Hackbridge Primary School | Hackbridge Road | Wallington | SM6 7AX

Drop-in session for everyone to meet the architects and discuss the plans for the expansion of the school

17 March – Time 5pm – 6pm

at Hackbridge Primary School | Hackbridge Road | Wallington | SM6 7AX

Session with staff, governors, Steering Group, Neighbourhood Development Group and architects

17 March – Time 6.30pm – 8pm
at The Pavilion @ BedZED | 24 Sandmartin Way | Wallington | SM6 7DF 

Due to the continued rise of births, migration to the borough and major housing developments, Sutton Council needed to expand an existing school to ensure they could deliver the predicted primary school places needed by 2016.  All schools were invited to tender for this opportunity, with Hackbridge Primary School being selected for the expansion.

Information on the consultation possible expansion of Hackbridge Primary School – 15 September to 31 October 2014

Consultation papers – September 2014

A School Steering Group was set up with members from Sutton Council, the NDG, BedZED residents and other residents of Hackbridge to discuss all options.  Through these discussions the group came up with 10 key principles and it was suggested to move the school from originally proposed Site A (a community used field), to Site B (an area that was safeguarded until December 2014 for gravel extraction).  See map for locations.  As the site is Metropolitan Open Land and part of the future Wandle Valley Regional Park, Sutton Council needs to submit an application to the Greater London Authority (GLA) to provide special circumstances for building on this land.

It should also be noted that Site B is currently being looked at by a group of local businesses and residents to enhance as an ecology park.  It is important that the expansion of Hackbridge School and the Ecology Park work together to ensure the best results and designs for both projects.  Further information can be found on their website.

On a side note, consultation is crucial to any new development and this video by TED ‘Why the buildings of the future will be shaped … by you’ makes interesting and valid viewing.