Work has started on a new Putney primary school

The council has appointed construction company Durkan to turn the derelict Putney Hospital site into a new primary school.

The news comes a month after a community group has lost a major battle in its fight against an access road running through Putney Common to the former Putney Hospital.

The Friends of Putney Common (FofPC) took legal action over an agreement between the council and the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) for an access road to the new school. 

However, their arguments were rejected by both the High Court and Court of Appeal.

The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators have now granted the ‘easement’ which allows the access to the site to be rearranged for the new school and flats. This means the project can now get underway.

Demolition starts this week and the new school, called Putney Oasis Academy, is expected to open in September 2016.

Eventually the new school, which is being funded by luxury flats, is expected to provide 420 places.

The hospital was closed to patients in 1999 and has remained vacant ever since.

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Education spokesperson, Councillor Kathy Tracey, said: “After 15 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.”