School Move

The Planning Application: First Hearing

Report from David Barry, Chair of Ashmount Governing Body, on Friday 11 September 2009:

'The application for planning permission to move the school to Crouch Hill went before a planning committee on Tuesday 8 September. What we hoped for, and expected, was that there would be a decision - and that this decision would be to approve the application. However, no decision was made. Instead it was 'deferred'.

The committee had four members. Two voted to approve our project, and two voted to defer a decision. As the votes were equal, the chair, Councillor Wally Burgess - who had voted already for deferral - used his second, casting vote, and the decision was deferred. The reason given by the chair was that he was not satisfied that they had sufficient information to assess the impact of the development on Metropolitan Open Land, particularly in relation to the alternative sites survey. (He also said that he had not had time to read all the papers.)

Further discussion with the planning officers is taking place to clarify the further work necessary to support our application. The Chief Executive of Islington Council is now taking a personal interest in the matter, and a lot of hard work is being done for us.

We are disappointed by this decision. However, we are pleased at the number of parents who attended and showed support. We have also been made aware that many parents are very angry about this, and assure you we do understand the depth of feeling.'

The planning application was heard again on Tuesday 13 October 2009, and this time the committee voted to approve the scheme.  Click here for full details.

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