Construction company Durkan has been appointed by Wandsworth Council to build a new primary school in Putney, redeveloping the existing site of derelict Putney Hospital. The firm is believed to have beaten the likes of Higgins, Galliford Try and Rydon to the deal.
The Putney Hospital was closed to patients in 1999, remaining vacant until 2012 when the site was acquired by the council.
The cost of the build will be largely funded by the sale of land for 24 flats at the northern end of the site – previously a disused nurses’ accommodation block - for which planning permission was obtained in 2010.
The council struck a deal with the Commons Conservators to allow access across the common and for common land to be used during demolition and construction. To make up for it, a piece of land in Stag Lane was sold to the conservators.
David Devons, Chairman of the Conservators, said: “Following negotiations of the easement by one of the country’s leading firms of chartered surveyors, we are pleased that work can now commence to restore and enhance common land and enable this derelict site once again to benefit the local community.”
Demolition work will start this week in order to create the scheme - which will comprise of both a school and flats – with a view to opening the Putney Oasis Academy to pupils in Q4 2016. The Academy will provide places to 420 local children, easing pressure off local primary school capacity in the west of the borough.
Kath Tracey, Education Spokesman Chancellor, said: “After fifteen years of dereliction this site will now be transformed into a new primary school for the people of Putney. These extra places will help to meet rising local demand and will give parents greater choice when it comes to selecting a school for their children.”
