Metropolitan Open Land at Risk

Our community is in shock at the planning application submitted to develop our protected green space, currently reserved burial land, for the Turing House Free School. The site is unsuitable for this or any kind of development and instead should be turned into a public park to address the identified shortage of public open space in Whitton.
 
Heathfield Ward, where they propose to build the school in Whitton, is part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the ward is ranked sixteenth in access to public open space.  Teddington is far wealthier ward with far more open space and is clearly taking advantage of our community by exporting its problems onto us. 

Our reasons for opposing the planning application include:

• Metropolitan Open Land has the same protection as Green Belt land in London
• The school was set up to serve Teddington and Fulwell and there are sites closer that are more suitable
• There is no shortage of access to good school places in Whitton
• Loss of protected green space used by resident and visiting wildlife 
• Increased traffic congestion as most children will live outside of our community
• Increased pollution, and harm to our children's health
• Safety issues for the pupils; the school access will be shared with HGVs from the adjacent landscapers’ yard
• Only 20% of places will be allocated to local children and this will increase social inequalities due to the school having a socially unrepresentative intake
• There was no meaningful consultation with the local community and pursued outside the normal democratic framework

We, therefore, request the planning application is refused and the council work with the school and the Department for Education to find a more suitable site closer to the area the school was opened to serve. 

Please also object to the planning application
The planning application is being heard initially by Richmond upon Thames Council, and the application number is 18/3561/FUL

This link takes you to the planning file where you can object online
http://www2.richmond.gov.uk/PlanData2/Planning_CaseNo.aspx?strCASENO=18/3561/FUL
 
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Hospital Bridge Road Residents Action Group was set up and formed a committee to oversee things on behalf of residents.  Please follow us on social media to show your support and stay updated:

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