AN ORGANISATION has defended its recommendation to list a school due for development.
English Heritage has recommended parts of Sydenham School,Dartmouth Road, are given a Grade II listing due to their design by renowned brutalist Basil Spence’s architecture firm, its use of materials and historic interest.
The school is due to be developed using secured funding from the recently scrapped Building Schools for the Future scheme, but Lewisham Council now fears the project could be put in jeopardy.
Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock has written to heritage minister John Penrose saying some of the 1950s school is “fit for nothing more than demolition”.
A spokesman said English Heritage was “disappointed” with Sir Steve’s remarks.
The mayor has previously fallen foul of English Heritage listings over planned developments at Lewisham Bridge School, Forest Hill Pools and Catford’s Excalibur estate.
In 2007 he labelled them “an irresponsible organisation” in a dsipute over Beckenham Place Park’s Mansion House.
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