A proposed new boys’ school in Chislehurst has an MP’s “full backing” as he urges the government to support revised plans.
Proposals for Bullers Wood School for Boys were approved by Bromley Council last year but the decision was reversed in January.
A relentless campaign was launched to “say yes” to Bullers Wood following the U-turn on plans to build the school in St Hughes’ playing fields.
The backtrack was over concerns about traffic, and the decision has since been appealed with the government’s planning inspectorate.
A temporary school has been identified in Westmoreland Road in Bromley, but MP Bob Neill has written to the planning inspector to encourage support for the revised plans for the original site in Chislehurst.
He wrote: “There is certainly a shortfall in secondary school places across the borough, especially for boys, with both the council’s draft plan and the secondary schools development plan indicating that 34 forms of entry will be required by 2021/2022.
“A number of proposed entries have been permitted, but a 6fe school on this site remains an integral part of the council’s strategy to deliver the overall target.”
Mr Neill said that if the council’s modelling is correct, more than three quarters of ward resident pupils will attend one of the two Bullers Wood schools, following trends set by the equivalent girls’ school.
He added: “I remain confident that the revised access and travel arrangements put forward by the school as part of its comprehensive travel plan could address the concerns raised by neighbouring residents.
“Having considered this evidence, I would urge you to come to the same conclusion, allowing the development to proceed.
“These plans are widely supported by parents, and indeed residents with no formal association with the school and certainly have my full backing.”
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