The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is set to decide on controversial plans to redevelop Phoenix Academy in White City after Hammersmith and Fulham Council rejected the proposal in April. The scheme, submitted by Future Academies and London Square, involves demolishing parts of the school and rebuilding it alongside 307 homes.
Proposed redevelopment details
The plan includes four new education blocks up to four storeys high and six residential buildings up to eight storeys. Of the 307 homes, 90 would be affordable, all for social rent. The school described its current western buildings as "outdated, underused and unsafe."
Mark Smith, Development Director at London Square, told the council's Planning and Development Control Committee: "These proposals represent the best chance our school has of securing the more than £40 million that we need to make improvements to the academy. Members will be fully aware that these costs are spiralling upwards each month, linked to inflation, and we do not have the luxury of a wait and see approach when it comes to the future of the education that our children deserve."
Local opposition and council decision
The scheme faced substantial local opposition, with a petition by the Wormholt Residents Association (WRA) gathering 718 signatures. During consultation, the council received 60 representations in favour and 34 against. Councillors rejected the application due to concerns about its scale and community consultation.
Julian Vallis, a local resident and WRA Treasurer, accused applicants of bypassing local democracy to force a mayoral call-in. He said: "While the GLA has intervened, in failing to notify us it has also failed itself in its assessment which fundamentally misrepresents and misunderstands the case. The design is profoundly problematic. How both LBHF and the GLA can categorise a development plunging 259 existing homes into darkness to build 307 new ones—a net gain of just 48 well-lit properties—as causing 'less than substantial harm' to the Conservation Area is incomprehensible."
Mayoral call-in and next steps
Khan called in the proposal, meaning he or Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe will determine it. A public hearing at City Hall will be held, with parties including the council and applicant submitting evidence. No hearing dates are listed on the GLA website. Vallis added: "In this David and Goliath battle, we remain as motivated as ever. We're working in tandem with our MPs, ward councillors, and neighbouring residents' associations to mount a robust defence of our community and beautiful Conservation Area against this unworkable monstrosity of an application."
Both Future Academies and a spokesperson for the Mayor declined to comment at this stage.
