Campaigners have vowed to appeal against a High Court decision which means a new primary school can be built on Putney Common.

On Friday (November 8), Mr Justice Wyn Williams rejected a judicial review made by the Friends of Putney Common (FofPC) against Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators and Wandsworth Council regarding the legality of plans to develop the former Putney Hospital site.

FofPC took action over a £350,000 easement agreement, signed in February 2012, between the council and the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC).

The payment was issued for the use and construction of an access road in order to build the 420-pupil school, funded by luxury flats, of which none are affordable.

More than 800 people objected to the original planning application and a further 450 objected to subsequent applications, while just ten people supported it locally.

Among the concerns raised by residents are the lack of environmental impact report, a proposed rooftop playground, three existing primary schools in the area, congestion, parking problems and pedestrian risks.

Justice Williams concluded the conservators were within their rights to allow use of an access road to the former hospital site and that any changes to the existing pathway would be minimal and not impede the public.

On Friday the new school's planning application was also then given the go-ahead by the council's planning committee.

A community online crowd-funding appeal "Save Our Common" will now be launched by FofPC to help fund the legal costs of mounting an effective appeal in the Court of Appeal against the decision.

 

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