St. George's Redevelopment Plans Approved

Last Tuesday, Westminster Council's Planning Committee gave its approval to the redevelopment proposals for St. George's School on Maida Vale.

Starting later in the Spring, St. George's will be comprehensively redeveloped to add space for one more form (with numbers increased from 600 to 750 pupils). A new three storey extension will be added to the school comprising a new sports hall, changing facilities and teaching areas. There will also be a roof-based outdoor play area.

As Councillors, we have always recognised the importance of improving the facilities of schools against the needs of local residents. For St. George's this was very important, given its close proximity to properties in Lanark Road, Dibdin House and Glasgow House. In particular, the plans included the increasing of the St. George's boundaries by several metres to incorporate some of the new facilities, using some of the park area to the north of Glasgow House and the current school caretaker's house. We have made sure that local residents in Glasgow House have been kept fully up-to-date by the redevelopment team and residents seem content that the changes are for good reason. There were no letters of objections to the planning committee last Tuesday.

We did provide written comments to the committee on the redevelopment plans. We emphasised the need for the redevelopment team to continue to work closely with Glasgow House residents to improve their facilities as a condition for the loss of some of their gardens and, in the short-term, because some of the temporary works facilities will be situated in their car park. In addition, we highlighted that we thought the design left something to be desired, particularly on the Carlton Vale side. We are pleased that the committee agreed with us on this and the design of the building facing Dibdin House will be looked at again.

We'll keep a close eye on the plans and works and keep you informed as they progress.

Congratulations to Martin, the head, and all the pupils and staff of St. George's. We look forward to an even better school once the redevelopment has been completed.

If you are a resident affected by any of these changes and would like to discuss them, please don't hesitate to get in touch (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com).

Lee