Save the Judith Kerr Primary School Greenspace Playground

[SavetheJKPSgreenspace]

The Dulwich Estate who owns the freehold to the school grounds, intends to develop the green space playground at Judith Kerr Primary School for its subsidiary, the Dulwich Almshouse Charity. It aims to relocate the current almshouses situated in the centre of Dulwich Village with a new development of assisted living accommodation for up to 20 elderly residents on the school grounds. For background information please go to www.savethegreenspace.co.uk.

If this development goes ahead, the 350 schoolchildren would as a result lose 2/3 of their already tight outdoor play and sports space and all of the school’s usable green space.

We encourage you to attend one of these events to register your opposition to the proposals. The events will take place on: Wednesday 8th June from 4pm to 7:30 and on Saturday 11th June from 2pm to 4pm at the Methodist Church on Half Moon Lane, opposite the school.

The Greenspace Campaign is led by parents of children at JKPS and fully supports the Dulwich Almshouse Charity’s need for new accommodation. The Dulwich Estate is a substantial local landowner and able to find an alternative, more suitable site. Taking away 2/3 of a local state school’s outside space, which is currently used extensively for play, sport and education, is not an acceptable solution. We are therefore campaigning strongly against this development. The designs for the new development will be uploaded to the charity’s website on 8th June:

www.dulwichalmshousecharity.org

Thank you for your support

Save the Judith Kerr Primary School Green Space Playground Campaign.
Get in touch at [email protected]

I've been reading about this on Facebook. How likely is it that the scheme would get planning consent? I thought the land was designated open space.

Hi LuluInLambeth,

The Open Space designation is only at Consultation stage. Southwark Council haven't made a decision yet. If we get the Open Space designation the space can't be build it but this planning application will be lodged ahead of that decision. We need to make Southwark Council realise how much this scheme will impact on the school and the children's safety and wellbeing.

Best wishes,
Save the Green Space Campaign.

Does the school not have a lease for the land? Has the Estate reneged on this lease for this proposal?

This is exactly why state education should not be farmed out at the mercy of private enterprise

Hi there,
The school does have the lease for the land. Its owned by The Dulwich Estate who negotiated the deal with Southwark and the Department of Education. However The Dulwich Estate insisted on a clause that allowed them to apply for planning permission on the green space/ playground area. Its true the school inherited a flawed situation. However, we are appealing to Southwark Council not to grant this permission. We don't deny the need for Almhouses however, not at the expense of room for children to play.
Thanks for your support.
Save the Greenspace Campaign.

The Dulwich Estates are making themselves very unpopular in the local area, aren't they? Raising lots of shop rents etc.

There are strict laws governing planning permission - is it even in Southwark's ability to refuse planning permission? Have you got a planning consultant to advise? Unless you object on grounds that are relevant to planning law you are on a hiding to nothing.

Apologies, I am probably teaching you to suck eggs.