A developer which has come under fire for a planning application that would “demolish” a primary school has guaranteed the school can remain in the area if it wishes to.

CNM Estates submitted an application to Kingston Council to demolish “all the existing buildings” in Canbury Business Park and build a seven-storey building comprising offices and 13 flats as well as a 14-storey building comprising offices, a medical centre and 302 flats.

However, a primary school that has been on the site for more than 20 years was caught up in the plans, sparking a petition by Canbury ward Councillor Andrea Craig opposing the “inappropriate development”, stating she and residents were “very concerned about the future” of Educare Small School.

She said: “We have to make sure as a community that we don’t let this happen.

“This school has been providing high quality education to local children in this area for more than 20 years.

“As lead for education I understand just how difficult it is to find a suitable location for a school.”

The independent school is owned by a philanthropist who does not want to sell, although offers have been made by CNM.

CNM Estates chairman Wahid Samady, however, has responded by saying if the school wishes to stay put, the company will “amend the scheme to build around it”.

He said: “Our position is that there are two options for the school.

“In the public consultation two options were included in the footprint of the redevelopment, one with the school and one without.

“The first option is that we amend the scheme to exclude it.

“The other is to include the school and relocate them to a site that would be fit for the business.

“We are open to both options.

“This single decision about the school will be made by the trustees of the school and we CNM will respect whatever decision they make.”

The petition, which had 538 signatures at the time of writing, also objected to the “scale and design” of the proposed development.

Cllr Craig added: “This application needs to be rejected.

“That is not to say the site should not be developed- there is a need for some regeneration.

“It’s the scale and design we object to, it’s too big and not nearly as ambitious as it should be for business space as we need much more of that in the borough.”

However, Mr Samady said that after “significant public consultation” there was “overwhelming support” for the scheme.

He said: “The consultation, which was attended by many local residents and stakeholders, resulted in many positive comments about the development.

“Obviously more comments are welcomed through the planning process and the design could be refined as we go forward.”

The consultation on the planning application runs until December 1.

To comment go here. 

To sign the petition go here.