Public meeting called to discuss Old Vicarage

Resident's concern grows as consultation period ends

A group of Grove Park residents have called a public meeting to discuss views for and against the proposed change of use of the Old Vicarage on Sutton Lane South. 

The meeting, which will take place at 7.00pm on Friday 7th October in St Michael's Church Hall, Elmwood Road, has been called in order for the steering committee to update the community on recent activities and, for those who oppose the new school, to plan the next stage of the campaign.

One resident who opposes the plans told us "Although there has been an overwhelming number of objections sent to Hounslow Borough, it appears this is not enough to stop the proposal.  Resident’s who object have done so because this is an entirely inappropriate site for a school. People have expressed strong concern that a school on this site will cause an influx of parent and staff cars that will strangle surrounding roads, at the busiest and most dangerous times of the day, in an area that’s already a commuter rat run."

There is also general concern that the school will use the few remaining on-street parking spaces, with congestion spilling out to surrounding streets, including Fauconberg, Hazeldene and Gordon Roads and beyond.

Whilst objections are mainly about traffic concerns, campaigners against the proposals believe that the area is already well served by private schools, with the Falcons School for boys a hundred yards away from the proposed new facility in addition to four local state schools that serve local needs. 

However, others feel that there is a need for a mixed private facility. One resident said "We live in the Grove Park area and like many people in the area we are concerned about the traffic and congestion generated by the school run. Which is why, when we were looking for a school for our daughter, our preferred option was to find a local school that was in walking distance or could easily be travelled to on public transport. There were no schools in the Grove Park area that provide private mixed primary education. We welcome the school’s proposed expansion to Grove Park as it would offer a service that is currently lacking."

October 5, 2005