New application for riverside school made
Alpha Plus's Proposed Pier House School back on the agenda as amended plans submitted
A new planning application has been made to convert The Pier House into a preparatory school for up to 420 boys and girls aged 5-13 years.
A previous application had been rejected by Hounslow Council due to concerns over traffic and noise following a significant number of objections from residents. If the school were to be built it would mean that over 1,000 school children would be arriving in the area each morning.
Chris
Smith, a local resident condemn what he described as Alpha Plus's "railroad
tactics" saying, "there is an emerging trend to file applications
during the summer months, relying on the fact that many people are away
on holiday and that the application would slide through un-noticed."
Residents say that the application is basically unchanged and simply incorporates a travel plan onto the previous application Those opposing the school have drafted a letter which they are encouraging people to base their objections on. Deadline for representation to Hounslow Council is Monday August 25 2003
You can express your views on the application by contacting:
Stefan Van Vuuren – Case Officer (01076/J/P19)
Planning Department
London Borough of Hounslow
The Civic Centre
Lampton Road - Hounslow TW3 4DN
Email Stefan.van-vuuren@hounslow.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 583 5187
Plans for inspection : building plans for the site and school travel plan can be seen at Chiswick Library 09.30am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday
Situated in one of Chiswick’s most picturesque settings, the recently refurbished Pier House currently houses the IMG Business Centre. Alpha Plus, the group who run Falcons Schools, are proposing to launch the new school in September 2004.
The Pier House is situated within the Strand on The Green Conservation area on a narrow stretch of road, close to the North side of Kew Bridge. Traffic is already heavy and cars park on both sides of the road.
At present, Strand on the Green has one state primary school for 650 pupils situated in the same area and, like most Chiswick schools, not only has its share of traffic problems, but it is regularly over-subscribed. Schools in the private sector in Chiswick also generally have long waiting lists so many local parents welcomed the proposed new option as an alternative to educating their children outside the area.
August 16, 2003
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Riverside school plan rejected
Plan for new riverside school meets opposition