Woolmore Primary School is on the site of the Blackwall Reach Regeneration Scheme – a development plan which will knock down Robin Hood Gardens and much of the surrounding low-rise housing and amenities. In their place will come a new high-rise and much denser development, which will need a primary school – a larger one than the current Woolmore School. The idea, therefore, is to demolish Woolmore School and build a new, larger primary school to serve the new, larger estate.
No sooner are the words “let’s demolish this old building” out of the mouth of the developer, than they are immediately picked up on the Ridge Radar. Enter Tom Ridge, to tell us all why this historic building should be saved. Quite why the Borough doesn’t keep Tom in a cupboard in the planning department and get him out when he needs to be listened too is a mystery. The way they do it – negotiating with developers and then waiting for Tom to notice – is a waste of time and money.
Tom’s description of Woolmore school and explanation of why this unique building must be saved can be found at http://residents-first.co.uk/?p=1491. You will also be able to read about Tom’s alternative plan, in which the existing school building is kept and expanded. And you will be able to sign the petition to keep the school building (which must be done before 17th April).