Extension to Gascoigne Primary could be built on Abbey depot site

An extension to Gascoigne Primary School could be built on the former Abbey depot site.

Barking and Dagenham Council has confirmed that a planning application for an extension will be submitted within the next few months.

But Keith Scotcher, who lives in The Shaftesburys, says residents feel like the school is being forced upon them as they have been given no warning from the council.

He was only informed of the possibility after questioning workmen why they were taking soil samples and was told that it was due to the school being moved.

“Residents are alarmed that the school may be landed on them by stealth in the tight area bordered by high rise flats, with all the accompanying problems of noise, school buses and coaches, car parking for around fifty staff and the delivering and collection of children by their parents in the dead end road,” Mr Scotcher said.

He suggested that flats currently being built in the road and not yet occupied will have their valuation badly hit should the application be progressed.

The council spokesman stressed that the application would be “subject to consultation with local residents living on the west side of Gascoigne Estate” with objections reported to the Development Control Board when the proposal is being considered.

“The Council is regenerating the eastern side of the Gascoigne Estate and as part of this process a master plan is being drawn up which will form part of the planning application,” he said.

“Within the draft master plan, a site for a new secondary school and an additional primary school is shown. The existing Gascoigne Primary School will remain on its present site, although there may be some reconfiguration of the school on its existing site. There has been a significant amount of consultation on these proposals, which will continue over the coming months.”