West Hampstead site for new primary school ‘is too far away’, critics tell Camden Council
Published: 25th November, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY
EDUCATION chiefs have been told they have picked the wrong spot in choosing a site in West Hampstead for a new primary school.
Council reports show that the Town Hall believes it can open a two-form primary school in Liddell Road, an industrial site off Iverson Road.
It follows months of discussion about how to deal with a surge in demand for primary school places, although the focus of the debate has been in Belsize Park rather than West Hampstead.
Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Mennear said: “What will this do to help the problem of lack of school places in Belsize? Nothing. It will help the families in Brent, rather than Camden. It will harm the schools already around there.”
Lib Dem councillor Tom Simon, who represents Belsize, is calling for the government’s Free School legislation to be used to open a school in the ward on the site of two hostels that are being sold by the council.
“By accessing central government funds, the school could be opened at no cost to Camden,” he said.
Dr Liz Taylor, who helped organise the campaign for a new school in Belsize, said: “I cannot understand why Camden are planning to spend up to £10million to open a school in the wrong location. It is too far away.”