Letter of support for Kisharon planning application
11/01/2017
Dear Sir or Madam,
Re: Letter of support for planning applications Ref: 16/6366/LBC & 16/6367/FUL Montfort House, 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP
Introduction
I am writing to support this application in my capacity as London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden. My primary concern relates to a lack of school places in the borough for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Education provision for SEND
The failure of the London Borough of Barnet properly to plan for the predictable rise in the need for school places has left the borough short of places where they need to be. This is especially marked in the provision of places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The result is the high cost to the borough of educating children out of the borough.
It is therefore essential that this application is approved and that the SEND places are provided. This is especially true for the school in question, which provides specialised SEND provision for our large Jewish Community in the south and west of the borough.
The school has already had to relocate some services in order to expand the accommodation of places and it would be disgraceful if there were to be further disruption to the lives of vulnerable children, who need consistency.
Planning considerations
I understand that there is concern over the design and its impact on a listed building but there are no fundamental issues of principle. I would hope the special circumstances relating to the school and the absence of alternatives would allow the Council to consider this a special case that overrules any identified harm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, given the borough’s acute need for SEND school places as well as the special local circumstances of this application, I would strongly urge planning officers and Councillors to direct approval. Though I can understand the planning concerns, this school should be considered as a special, one-off case.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Dismore
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
City Hall
The Queen’s Walk
London
SE1 2AA
