Sheltered housing planned in school site sparks anger among Tooting residents

Campaigners protested on Saturday outside the proposed site in the Professional Centre, Franciscan Road, Tooting, ahead of a planning meeting taking place next week.

Viridian Housing wants to knock down parts of the building to make way for a four-storey 45-apartment extra-care block.

Planning permission has already been granted to build a primary school on the site.

Campaigners believe the care block will limit play space for students and block light.

Hannah Millard, who lives nearby, said: “This development is a disgrace. It goes against the Greater London Authority’s stance on playgrounds, sports in school and the Olympic legacy.”

The Tooting History Group has also complained the new building will not be in keeping with the area.

An online comment submitted by the group said: “It will sit uncomfortably among the mainly Edwardian and Victorian dwellings around it.”

However, Graham Stapleton, chief executive of the Graveney Trust, which hopes to build the school, said there was no reason for concern.

He said: “This development plan predates the proposal to open a primary school on the professional centre site.

“We believe the playground space is more than adequate. There is a separate reception playground at the side of the building for the 60 reception pupils.”

Chris Miller, head of development at Viridian Housing, said: “Our proposed extra care scheme, if approved by the council, will be built on the existing car park of the professional centre.

“The scheme has been designed to provide 45 specialist apartments for elderly people living in the community to help improve their health and wellbeing.

“While we acknowledge residents’ concerns about the proposed redevelopment any concerns regarding the boroughs plans to restore the actual professional centre will need to be raised with the local authority for them to comment on.”

Wandsworth planning committee will discuss the application at a meeting in December.