A new school is set to be built in Edmonton after Enfield Council won the race to buy a prime site in Church Street.

The authority has agreed an undisclosed deal for the nine-acre site, which was put up for sale by cash-strapped Hackney Council.

The land is currently leased by Edmonton Sports and Social Club and the council beat off numerous rival bids.

The Independent understands that among the interested parties were Enfield Football Club and property developer Laings.

The council this week confirmed that a planning application to convert the land into a cemetery had been withdrawn and officers were advancing a blueprint to build a new school and recreational facilities.

Paul Humphreys, the council's head of corporate asset management, said: "We have had our eye on this land and I am delighted that we have been able to agree this deal with Hackney.

"The land has been the subject of local concern and some speculation, particularly when Hackney put it into an auction."

High-level talks are now taking place as to how the site can be developed for community use.

It will almost certainly include Edmonton Sports and Social Club, which uses pitches on the land for football, and not Enfield FC which was keen on a move to Church Street.

Council leader Cllr Mike Rye explained that the authority had a statutory duty to provide school places but not leisure facilities and he reiterated that the top two priorities of the new Tory administration were the environment and education.

The proposed school will be large enough for an intake of two forms of 30 in each year. It will have capacity for 420 pupils plus 60 part-time places.

Cllr Glynis Vince, cabinet member for education, said: "We have taken the opportunity to acquire an important piece of private open space in Enfield, with a view to developing educational and recreational facilities for local people.

"The combination of a new school with improved sporting facilities provides enormous opportunities for everyone to enjoy."

July 11, 2002 10:00