Andrew Dismore

 

Andrew Dismore AM, Labour London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden, today met the head teacher of Avanti House School to object to the school’s proposals for a permanent site at Broadfields and a temporary site in the Fairway.

Mr Dismore said:

“I made it absolutely clear to the school that both proposals were unacceptable to local residents and that the plans would be opposed tooth and nail. Both schemes would lead to appalling traffic congestion, being so close to existing schools.

I have major reservations about the free school concept in the first place, which leads to these uncoordinated and ill thought through kinds of proposals. It was crackers of Education Secretary Michael Gove to award the school funding without first identifying its premises needs and locations.

I understand that the planning application for the Fairway site is about to be submitted for a 10 building  temporary school (presumably portacabin type structures) to house 180 children for a period of two years. The planning application for Broadfields is still pending, though I understand from the school that this remains their preferred option.

I will be objecting to the planning application and will facilitate objections for residents too.

However, just objecting is not enough, and I feel it is important to work with the school to find alternative and more suitable locations. I have therefore written to the Mayor of London with a proposal for particular a site under his control and urged him to work with the school to find another site if this does not find favour with him. I have also written in similar terms to the leader of Barnet  Council and to the Secretary of State  for Education.