Harris Academy has put forward plans for a 1,150 pupil school at Avery Hill.
See details of the proposal here. We oppose crucial elements - our main issues are:
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the proposed design is non-descript and would spoil the view from the park;
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transport and access could be a nightmare;
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the school and the heritage attraction of a renovated Winter Garden must work in harmony.
Details of our concerns and our proposed solutions
More background information at https://www.averyhillpark.org.uk/
ACCESS
PROBLEM: School traffic will block access to the park twice a day. Park visitors will have to wait up to 30 minutes as 1,150 pupils cross Reinkendorff Avenue, which Harris wants to make one-way.
SOLUTION: No school traffic allowed in from Bexley Road.
COMMUNITY USE
PROBLEM: Harris don’t want an agreement with the community over use of the historic building in the evenings, weekends and holidays.
SOLUTION: The community use out of school hours is guaranteed and agreement to this is made before planning permission is granted.
PROBLEM: The Winter Garden needs to be renovated and fully linked with the Mansion.
SOLUTION: Following pressure from the campaign and Royal Greenwich Council, the University of Greenwich has agreed to contribute a substantial sum for its renovation and development, it being handed over to RBG, and then a Trust. Furthermore, it needs to be connected internally to the Mansion to allow flexible usage by the community with joint working arrangements put in place for the site’s future management.
DESIGN
PROBLEM: Square blocks of glass and green cladding clash with the historic winter garden.
SOLUTION: Harris needs to go back to the drawing board and design in brick, with pitched roofs and smaller blocks.
And the view Harris Academy haven't put on their website
