Building work is finally underway on the £38m Stanley Park High School redevelopment.

The project was subject to a series of delays while the council negotiated access rights over neighbouring land. But last week the first spade was put in the ground by some of the pupils who will benefit from the new facilities.

Councillor Kirsty Jerome, executive member for education and schools, said: “This is a real landmark moment. The new building is going to make a real difference to Sutton young people for generations to come.

“The current school building has reached its capacity and the extra places provided at the new site will be essential as the rising birth rate will eventually affect secondary schools as the children transfer from primary.

“This is a very exciting time and I look forward to seeing the building work progress.”

The Council’s Executive agreed last week (June 7) that construction work could begin to enable the new school to open in January 2012.

No agreement has yet been reached over the acquisition of a necessary access road on land owned by the Benhill Gospel Trust. However, a council spokesman said the council was confident it would either reach agreement or be granted a Compulsory Purchase Order over the land.