Leaked document reveals new potential sites for schools in Sutton

A re-evaluation of Sutton Council’s ‘site search’ for school sites was handed to Liberal Democrat councillors in a private meeting last month.

The document reveals a new shortlist of potential sites and a score between one and five for each that represents its suitability.

RELATED: Harris Federation to open secondary school on former Sutton Hospital site

Fairlands Park in North Cheam, Croygas Sports Club in Wallington, and Benhill Recreation Ground in Carshalton are among new entrants to the revised list.

The new potential sites were sought after it became apparent that, following the authority’s Local Plan consultation, a number of sites on the initial shortlist were no longer available.

According to the document, seen by the Sutton Guardian this week, trustees of the Croygas Sports Club said they would consider the possibility of a secondary school on their site.

This potential site neighbours Wilson’s School, in Mollison Drive, and in the document officers predict that more than 400 more cars could make trips to and from the area.

The Secombe Theatre, the future of which is uncertain after the company who runs it collapsed, is still being considered as potential site for a school.

The size of the theatre site in alignment with the space a secondary school with a sixth form would require, means the school would need to be 10 storeys high.

The Secombe is listed as a potential site for a school in the council's draft Local Plan 

New potential sites were discussed at a private Liberal Democrat meeting on October 3.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, chair of the housing, economy and business committee at Sutton Council, said: “Sutton needs more good school places to provide opportunities for our young people.

“We have just secured agreement for a new secondary school on the potential site of the London Cancer Hub.”

“A cross-party task and finish group has been looking at other potential school sites to inform the draft Local Plan.

“Following our earlier ‘Issues and Options Consultation’ further work was undertaken to consider the full range of sites available for new schools.”

Leader of the Conservative opposition at Sutton Council Tim Crowley said the council did not consult with the likes of the Wilson School before making the proposals.

He said: “The way this has come out is disgraceful… for the council to discuss potential options without consulting with those who would be affected.

“If this document hadn’t got out then I wouldn’t know what was going on and they could make a plan behind closed doors.”

Sutton Council and Wilson’s School has been approached for comment.

The local authority’s planning policy team has in the last three years undertaken a number of searches for school sites.

The results of its first search in 2013, of 290 private and publicly-owned sites, culminated in the allocation of the Sutton Hospital site.

Academies chain the Harris Federation won its bid to run a free school on this site in September.

Sites for both a secondary and primary school, which the authority hope to open by 2020, still need to be allocated.

The authority is set to agree on its Local Plan, which contains the potential school sites, in December.

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