New Ashmount school gets go-ahead (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

New Ashmount school gets go-ahead

October 21, 2009 10:36 AM

Hillrise ward councillors Fiona Dunlop, Greg Foxsmith, and Julia Williams at the Crouch Hill site of the new school.

A new primary school and community facilities have finally been given the green light for Crouch Hill - despite opposition from the Labour chair of the area's planning committee.

A decision had been due in September but Labour councillors on the North Area Planning Committee refused to support the application and voted to defer the item.

The plan will see Ashmount Primary School re-located in brand new buildings, a new Bowler's children's centre and new community facilities on the site at Crouch Hill park.

The application had the overwhelming support of Ashmount teaching staff and parents as well as local Liberal Democrat councillors. The existing school building is unsuitable for modern teaching. The police backed the final plans and reassured residents the move to Crouch Hill would involve no risks to the safety of the community.

Liberal Democrat councillors are now campaigning to ensure that the existing Ashmount school is not overdeveloped.

Islington Executive Member for Children's Services, Paula Belford, said:

"Parents at Ashmount were gobsmacked when Labour councillors failed to make a decision about the school's future at the last planning committee meeting.

"Anyone who knows the school knows the existing building is not up to modern standards and can't be refurbished easily.

"The new site is the right option and will bring real new benefits to the local community and residents' fears have been addressed. I an delighted we can finally get this new school off the drawing board."

Local Lib Dem councillor Julia Williams said:

"I was very concerned about what will happen to the current Ashmount site after the school moves. And although I raised this, I was told it was not a legally valid consideration for this planning committee. But I will be fighting alongside my colleagues to make sure that any development there is sustainable and proportionate."

Councillor Tracy Ismail, a Liberal Democrat member of the planning committee, added:

"I was concerned about the possibility of losing trees at the new site, and I was glad that I successfully passed a condition to provide stronger protection for our trees."

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, who has children at the school, said:

"Parents and teachers were hugely relieved that the application was passed. But as the Labour councillor Wally Burgess voted against it, we will be demanding to know whether the Labour Party support this fantastic project or not."