St Paul's School Seeks Space to Expand

Commerce Road Bus Depot not to be used for a new school

St Paul's CE School has been trying to develop a practical means of expansion so that it can move to a two-form entry to cater for the growing needs of the local population.

Michael Marks, Assistant Director for Education & Early Intervention at London Borough of Hounslow recently sent this progress report to the school which has since been distributed to the parents. He says:

"Following the meeting with parents held at the School last term, Councillor Curran and Officers from the Local Authority (LA) agreed to follow up on a number of actions in support of the possible expansion of St Paul’s C/E Primary School.

"We are pleased to confirm that an assessment of the vacant space in Alexandra House has been completed as an option to expand the school. The Local Authority will be discussing this with the School and the Diocesan Board. In addition there have been positive discussions with Age UK, who are based in the other part of Alexandra House.

"Following these discussions, Age UK will be giving their requirements for an alternative building(s) within the borough, from which their services can be delivered. Whilst we have not identified an alternative venue, this work is underway. The Council remains committed to working with Age UK in helping to support the needs of older people in the borough.

"If the work to identify a suitable venue is successful, the LA will seek to discuss with the school the option to expand, to meet the growing need for school places in Brentford.

"With regard to the Lay by in Back Road, a survey has confirmed that expanding the school into this space (at the front of the school) is unfeasible without utilising the playground space.

"At the time of the meeting we were awaiting a decision from the Greater London Authority (GLA) regarding our appeal for a change of use to education on the land at Commerce Road to create a 3 form entry school. Commerce Road is currently occupied by Metroline and used as a bus depot in delivering its contract with Transport for London (TfL) to run local bus services. We have now received a response and although the GLA were sympathetic to our request, regrettably they were not able to support our proposal.

"We will continue to look at other options that could become available in the local area to support the demand for places and will be developing the proposals for Alexandra house in discussion with the school and Age UK."

May 24, 2013