Chessington primary school's expansion under the microscope (From Surrey Comet)

Lovelace primary school's expansion in Chessington under the microscope

7:00am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Jon Sharman, Reporter

A Chessington school could be in line for expansion nearly three years after it was snubbed because of funding cuts.

Kingston Council’s plans to remove temporary classrooms and build four new units at Lovelace Primary School will be discussed by councillors at a meeting tonight.

Nearby Ellingham Primary School was preferred for expansion and a rebuild, despite objections from parents and the Chessington District Residents’ Association (CDRA), when money ran out in 2010.

Matt Sedgwick, Lovelace’s deputy headteacher, said the development would be something to be “very proud” of.

He said: “There will be four units, which will replace the temporary buildings put in 30 years ago.

"Those buildings are on their last legs and will be replaced by four modern, light, airy spaces. We hope that one of the rooms will be our library.

"That would be a great space for the children to use.”

The new development will be more than double the size of the current temporary classroom space and is designed to match existing buildings, according to the application.

New trees will be planted to replace ones removed during the planned works, and space for 45 bikes will be added, bringing the total at the school to 65. No new car parking spaces are planned.

Chessington Councillor Patricia Bamford said: “When the increased demand for school places became evident in South of the Borough following the expansion and rebuilding of Ellingham School, the second phase to address the need for more places was planned at Lovelace.

“We are glad the school community are supportive of this and look forward to having improved facilities at Lovelace.”

But members of the CDRA raised concerns about traffic at a meeting on Tuesday.

Traffic from parents taking their children to and from Ellingham Primary School increased after it was expanded, they said.

CDRA chairman Colin Punch said later: “The same thing could apply to Lovelace with more and more people coming in and dropping them off. It is not an easy thing to solve. The council I guess has to increase the places for people.”