BEXLEY councillors have chosen Wilmott Dixon as the preferred bidder to design and built the borough’s two planned new academies.

Described as “a momentous decision for Bexley” by council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill, at last week’s cabinet meeting, work will now begin on the details of the proposals for the Harris Academy Falconwood and the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy.

Bexley has obtained funding of £27.9m for the Falconwood Academy whose new buildings will replace the former Westwood Technology College, and £28m for the new Crayford academy on the former site of the old Crayford school in Iron Mill Lane.

Cabinet member for schools, Councillor Simon Windle warned: “It is imperative they are built within the allocated funding.

“I don’t see us getting any extra money from either the Government or the sponsors.”