Another historic Lewisham school at risk
Plans to demolish some of the Edwardian school buildings at Gordonbrock Primary School in Lewisham have been condemned by the Victorian Society.
The application to demolish the buildings comes in the same year as an unsuccessful attempt by Lewisham Council to knock down another Edwardian primary school in the borough; the now Grade II-listed Lewisham Bridge Primary on Elmira Street.
'The partial demolition of Gordonbrock Primary School would be an appalling waste of structurally sound historic buildings. Conversion, renovation and extension are all viable alternatives for the school and should be considered,' said Alex Baldwin, Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society. 'There is space on the Gordonbrock site for a much less destructive solution.'
The Society believes that pulling down these well-built and attractive buildings is not only unnecessary but goes against local and national planning policy. Government planning advice sets out a strong presumption in favour of keeping exactly this sort of building.
'We want Lewisham Council to start viewing the historic school buildings in its care as an asset and not a burden. Victorian and Edwardian schools were built to last and lend themselves well to adaptation. Replacing them with new structures is unimaginative and unsustainable.'
Wednesday 25 November, 2009
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Earlier item: Serious concern as plans for historic Kent church are revealed
