Published: 09 February 2012
by DAN CARRIER

ABOUT 100 desperately needed new affordable homes in the heart of Camden Town will be lost if plans for a new market-and-housing development is waved through by the Town Hall, campaigners have warned.

Members of Hawley Wharf Working Group (HWWG) have heavily criticised the late inclusion of a new primary school in a proposed multi-million pound building project around Camden Lock and Castlehaven Road. It would replace Hawley Infants School, just 300 metres away.

But campaigners say the cost of a new school is too high and more social housing is needed instead.

The group feels the site earmarked for the new school is too small. They would prefer to see the existing Victorian-era building in Buck Street renovated.

At a meeting at the school on Monday, parents, teachers and neighbours were asked if they would like a new junior school as well – allowing pupils to stay in one place from five until 11.

Hawley headteacher Anne Fontaine said: “We are excited at the proposal to expand our school, which would enable children to stay with us until they are ready to move on to secondary school.

A larger school site would also allow for improved learning resources, better extended services and more community use.”

Current plans are for a small amount of social housing at the Hawley Wharf development – between 5 and 9 per cent of all new homes, instead of the council’s 50 per cent guidelines. A fully kitted-out primary school would come with the deal.

A report by the Town Hall claims the existing school needs  £224,000 repairs – a figure campaigners say is “peanuts” and could be paid for by developers, instead of sacrificing a swathe of social housing.

Architect Peter Clapp, who sits on the working group, said: “There are various reasons the school should not be part of the development.

The site is too small and it would mean a massive cut in social housing provision.

“The fact the Town Hall has asked for this to be part of the scheme undermines the ability of the council to consider the planning application without bias.”