Following from the news that Dundonald Primary had agreed to take an extra reception class this year, Merton Council has launched a consultation on three options for permanently expanding the school to two forms of entry.

The Dundonald school consultation documents can be seen here. This outlines the plans and asks for feedback on the two related matters – the principle of expanding the school and the design options for expanding the school. Details of public meetings are also given. Technical drawings of the plans can be seen here.These plans are, however,  controversial. As the Wimbledon Guardian reports a local group has been set up to oppose any changes to the school, because of the effect on the recreation ground. This group has also set up an online petition to the Council.

The Council’s consultation document is keen to stress that:

All options will ensure the children’s public playground is at least as large as at present, no loss of football/cricket playing pitch, and a larger dual-use hard court games/tennis court area.

Comments on the plans must reach Merton Council by 28 June.

Merton Hall Road resident Anthony Fairclough said:

We’ve particular concerns about plans to exend Dundonald primary given this requires a new building on the pavillion site. We need proper, sensitive design as well as safeguards to make sure that the new building, as well as the building work, does not disrupt people’s use and enjoyment of the park.

Update: It’s not clear from the technical drawings, but it appears to be the case that the area described as “children’s public playground (with school access)” would actually only be available to the public when the school was closed – leaving only the smaller “toddler’s public playground” that is accessible to the public at all times. This means in effect, that the part of the current public playground space would become a school playground with restricted public access.