Two academy chains have submitted applications to build a free school on the controversial Sutton Hospital site.

The Harris Federation and the Cheam Academies Network have formally lodged requests with the government for permission to build a secondary school, opening in September 2018.

The two providers are both offering 195 places in each year with a sixth form proposed to follow later.

The Diocese of Southwark is also expected to bid to open a secondary school in Sutton and the Department for Education will consider the applications before announcing the successful applicant later this year.#

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Dr Rosemary Satchell, Chairman of CAN, which runs Cheam High School, said: “The trust was delighted with the very positive reception its bid for a new Sutton secondary school received from the local community.

“The feedback indicated that the trust’s existing local secondary school was held in very high esteem and that parents and carers were very welcoming of the idea that the trust would run a new school based on Cheam High School’s outstanding provision.”

The Harris Federation, which already runs 17 south London secondary academies, said its proposed school would specialise in science and healthcare.

Sir Daniel Moynihan, the federation’s chief executive, said: “As well as having an exceptional record in secondary education throughout London, we are part of this community through our Harris Junior Academy Carshalton.

“We are proposing an ambitious and aspirational new school that ensures many more local parents can access outstanding secondary education for their sons and daughters.”

The decision to build on the hospital site has been the source of prolonged debate in Sutton, with the Sutton Conservatives preferring a site in Rosehill for a secondary school.

However the ruling Liberal Democrat-run council prioritised the hospital site in Belmont as it looks to meet rising demand for pupil places in the area.

Last year Sutton Council pledged £950,000 to develop a planning application for a free school on the site before a provider had committed to building there and has also spent £8 million developing in site.

In October Greenshaw Learning Trust refused to build a school on the site, which they rejected as too small.

The council said the outcome of the applications would be “crucial to understanding the budgetary challenges” it will face over school places in the future.