In-depth appraisals are being carried out on two alternative sites for a new secondary school.
At the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on September 28, Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, asked officers to look in detail at land on Lewisham Bridge primary school and surplus land on Lewisham Hospital’s site.
Steve said: “I am committed to carrying out a thorough search for an alternative site to discover if one can be found that meets all the requirements we have for delivering a new school for the borough.
“As such I’ve asked my officers to look in more detail at two sites identified by independent consultants as offering the potential to provide an alternative location for the New School.
“I welcome this review because I want to provide a much needed school in the right part of the borough at the right time.
“We have a site in Ladywell Pool, but if a genuine alternative can be found I will be glad to give it seriously consideration.
“It is common practice for items appearing before committees that contain sensitive information to be heard without the public or press.
“This report was considered in this way not because the decisions made or sites considered are thought to be confidential, but because it contains information which could prejudice any potential acquisition of land.
“I appreciate this is a sensitive subject that many residents have an interest in and I can reassure them all we’ve given 29 sites a full and thorough consideration.
“Officer advice is that the two we are pursuing are the only sites which are likely to offer a genuine alternative deliverable in time, on budget and meeting educational requirements.
“I have asked that the next report into these alternative sites are prepared in such a way that they are made public to ensure full openness over this matter.”
An independent review of alternative sites for the new school, currently planned for Ladywell Leisure Centre, was ordered by the Mayor after a motion passed at the meeting of the Council in June.
Consultants considered 29 sites across the borough considering criteria including timing, location, size, land ownership and affordability.
A report on the Lewisham Bridge and Lewisham Hospital sites will be presented to the Mayor and Cabinet on 8 November.
It was hoped the report would be ready for 18 October, but in order to prepare a full and thorough appraisal of the alternative sites additional time is needed and a report will be presented to the Mayor and Cabinet on 8 November.