Government plans to build a 420-place primary school in the heart of Kingston have been submitted in the face of the borough’s desperate need for school places.

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) and Gems Learning Trust have jointly issued the much-anticipated planning application to demolish Swan House, in High Street, and build an academy school as well as 11 flats.

The site was purchased by the EFA in April last year, drawing criticism from those who wanted a school in Tolworth, which the Government department first proposed two years earlier.

According to Kingston Council’s latest schools strategy, published in 2012, a shortfall of 487 reception places is anticipated for the start of next year.

A spokeswoman said the shortfall has now been reduced to 120.

April 2015: Premises for new Surbiton Primary Academy found - in Kingston

March 2016: Kingston schools most oversubscribed in London

September 2016: New Surbiton free school provider the Stamp Education Trust sets sights on King Charles Centre

Surbiton councillor Malcolm Self said he remains “dubious” about whether it is the best site but accepted the need to build more schools across the borough.

He will sit on the committee that will decide whether to accept the application.

Cllr Self said: “I thought it fitted in principle with the general buildings and so on. As far as it goes I’m dubious whether it is the right location for a school.

“Free schools and academies are not the best way forward but we can only get a school via the free-school route.

“I still have a caveat about the pollution on that site.”

Surrey Comet:

Demolished: The former Swan House will be replaced by the school if the plans are granted approval

Public consultations were held in November when residents could view the plans. It includes the demolition of Swan House and replacing it with a five-storey building.

Statistics released in March last year found Kingston schools to be the most oversubscribed in London, with about half running at above capacity.

Planning documents cite the borough’s “rising birth rate” and “imminent developments” such as the Cambridge Road Estate as reasons for building more schools.  

Concerns about building a school in Kingston have largely centred on pollution levels in the borough.

The council opened a consultation into Kingston pollution levels in 2015 ahead of the opening of new schools.

Grove ward councillor Phil Doyle said: “A school is needed in Kingston and a school is needed near the town centre. Maple Road is overflowing.

“The pollution issue is one that I raised. Wherever we build it it’s probably not going to be ideal, [but] It’s not a million miles from the Fairfield.

“I will support it, it’s not perfect. They’ve got to look around and find where they can build schools.”

Surrey Comet:

The view of the school from the Thames

Gems chief executive Jodie Croft said: "There's been lots of delays, through lack of suitability we've ended up moving to Kingston.

"I think the planning application makes the best of what is a tight site.

"We've inherited the issues as much as the residents have. Tests will be carried out as we go thorugh the process and there are steps you can take to reduce pollution."

In April last year, Kingston Council was allocated just more than £6.5m in Government funding to help school building projects.

A free school provider has applied to the Depertment for Education for permission to build a new school in Surbiton, with a planning application expected to be submitted in the near future.

Kingston MP James Berry said: “The difficulty in London is always finding appropriate school sites and while I haven’t seen the plans for Swan House yet, I hope that the planning process is completed in time for the new school to be up and running in September 2018.

“New primary schools have been approved for Norbiton and Kingston and applications which I have supported are pending for a new primary school in Surbiton/Tolworth and for two new special schools.”

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said: "Due to a growing population, Kingston is expecting to need an additional 120 places, which is an additional four forms of entry, in 2018.

"This is already accounted for by the opening, subject to planning permission, of two-form entry GEMS Kingston Primary School, and by the proposal, submitted by the Stamp Education Trust in September, for Parks House, also a two-form entry free school, which would open in Surbiton." 

To comment on the proposals visit Kingston.gov.uk.