£10m redevelopment of Quintin Kynaston to be reviewed and ‘dramatically cut back’ - Co-Location Fund plan in tatters

Published: 30 July 2010
by TOM FOOT

A MULTI-million pound revamp of a secondary school in St John’s Wood will be dramatically hacked back after a special grant was slashed by the coalition government.

Teachers and governors at Quintin Kynaston School have been working for three years on an ambitious plan to improve children’s services and submitted a planning application last week.

But they have since learned that a £10million pot set aside for the changes has been cut to £2m, leaving the grand plan in tatters.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group in Westminster, said: “The cut of £8m is a massive blow to Quintin Kynaston’s future plans and [will] lead to further delays, increased costs and more disappointment for parents, pupils and teachers.”

As part of a £47m scheme, George Eliot Infants School, George Eliot Junior School, and  Quintin Kynaston Community Foundation School, are being redeveloped on one site.

The project is being funded by the Department for Education through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Primary Capital Programmes, as well as Back on Track and Co-Location Funding.

The Co-Location Funding, which is being cut by £10m to £2m – was going to be spent on children’s, youth and health services, a police base, an adult learning centre, a drop-in nursery and creche and state-of-the-art sports facilities.

While BSF budgets have been slashed across the country – neighbouring Camden Council lost almost all of its funding, prompting fears last week the UCL Academy would not be built – Westminster has escaped Education Secretary Michael Gove’s axe.

Councillor Nickie Aiken, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Westminster was very fortunate in retaining all of its BSF funding following the government’s recent decision to halt the programme.

“While we understand the government has a tough job to do in reducing the deficit, this is clearly very disappointing news for all those involved in the project. 

“We will now review the scheme to determine the changes that will need to be made to address the reduction in funding. 

“Any changes will be discussed in detail with the schools and organisations involved before we decide on how best to progress the plans for the site.”