Plans have been submitted to redevelop the Phoenix Academy in West London, proposing the construction of over 300 new homes alongside a significant refurbishment of the existing educational facilities. If approved by the Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the initiative by Future Academies aims to invest approximately £40 million to enhance the school’s infrastructure, which includes a new sports hall, library, and music studios.
The redevelopment plan involves a partnership with developer London Square and comes as a response to a substantial maintenance backlog that predates Future Academies’ stewardship, which began in 2016. According to planning documents, the refurbishment is crucial as the school grapples with issues related to building condition and maintenance that require significant financial resources. The Trust has unsuccessfully sought public funding from various sources, including the Department for Education and the local council.
Local residents have expressed concerns regarding the scale of the proposed development. The Wormholt Residents Association conducted a survey earlier this year, which revealed that 66 percent of the 88 respondents opposed further development in the area, and 68 percent specifically opposed the Phoenix Academy plans. Key issues included potential strains on local resources, disruptions during construction, and the impact on community space and overall quality of life.
Julian Vallis, Treasurer of the Wormholt Residents Association, emphasized that while residents do not oppose development outright, they believe the current proposal is too large. He stated, “Residents would be happy if the development was more in line with the local conservation area’s character, and reduced in height to approximately three storeys, matching the existing school building.” This sentiment underscores a desire for a development that is both sensitive and compatible with the local environment.
The proposed plan includes four educational blocks rising up to four storeys and six residential buildings of up to eight storeys. Of the 307 homes planned, 90 are designated as affordable, all intended for social rent. The scale of these residential buildings has raised alarms among community members, who fear that such a large construction project could negatively affect their daily lives.
Future Academies has not publicly responded to the residents’ concerns; however, a spokesperson previously stated, “Our goal is to deliver improved teaching and recreation spaces for our pupils. We are seeking to ensure that the school’s facilities continue to match the education the school already offers, reflected in our recent ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grading.”
The plans for Phoenix Academy reflect a trend in the borough, following the recently approved redevelopment of Avonmore Primary School and Nursery, which involved demolishing existing structures to make way for a new state-of-the-art educational facility and residential units. This aligns with the local authority’s Community Schools Programme, which aims to use funds generated from new housing developments on school sites to revitalize educational facilities across the borough.
As the redevelopment proposal moves through the approval process, stakeholders await further engagement with the local community to address concerns while balancing the need for improved educational infrastructure and housing solutions in West London.
