Campaigners win Ladywell fight

12:55pm Monday 13th November 2006

Comments (7)   Have your say »

THE two-year battle to save Ladywell Leisure Centre has been won by campaigners.

Following months of pressure - including the loss of Labour's majority on the council - Mayor Steve Bullock made the decision last week.

In a U-turn, Mr Bullock decided a new 600-pupil secondary school would be built on the site of Lewisham Bridge Primary School.

It had been his intention to demolish the Lewisham High Street-based leisure centre and build the school there.

When announced in 2004, the scheme sparked protest from groups opposed to the loss of the centre and the decision not to build the school in the north of the borough.

The Save Ladywell Pool group organised public meetings and handed out 20,000 leaflets condemning the new-school plan.

The group also campaigned against Labour in the Ladywell ward during May's local elections.

Their involvement is seen as the main reason the party lost its three seats there to the Greens and ultimately its council majority.

Speaking about his decision, Mr Bullock said he had been persuaded Lewisham Bridge, which is in Elmira Street, Lewisham, was the better option.

Although he denied caving into public pressure, he said: "Public opposition, which Save the Ladywell Pool campaign played a part, was undermining the project.

"This weighed heaviest with me and I was anxious to make sure the new school has the best possible start.

"It is my judgement to make a decision based on the public interests of the borough in the case of education.

"There is no risk-free course but I believe Lewisham Bridge is the right way forward."

Mr Bullock's U-turn began when he was forced to re-examine alternative sites for the new school following a motion passed by full council on June 14.

It called on him to appoint independent advisers to investigate more sites in the north of the borough, rather than at Ladywell.

From a list of 29 possible sites looked at over the summer, Lewisham Bridge and Ladywell were identified as favourites.

Mr Bullock agreed Lewisham Bridge was the right choice on a range of factors such as being better located.

Since the Save Ladywell Pool Campaign was set up in July 2004 more than 5,500 people signed petitions objecting to the closure of the centre.

Its leader Max Calo said: "We've done it. Two and half years of hard work have paid off.

"I'm really pleased the Mayor did this step of looking for alternative sites again, a process which has benefited everyone.

"The council has moved to a place where it can listen to people now."

Fellow campaigner Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Fletcher said: "I'm absolutely delighted the Mayor reached the decision.

"We have long argued Ladywell was the wrong site for education use and have campaigned against the loss of a leisure facility.

"We will work together to produce an excellent and much needed school for the borough."

Green party leader Councillor Darren Johnson said: "The Mayor accepted the political reality and had another serious look at alternative sites during the summer, which has resulted in this huge U-turn.

"All political parties have to work together constructively in overcoming challenges to make sure that we have a school in Lewisham to be proud of."

New School Campaign secretary John Hamilton said: "It's a victory for the people of Lewisham. Lewisham Bridge has always been a reasonable option we argued for. We are over the moon about it.

"We are very happy the Mayor has finally seen the light."

Work on the new school will start in September 2008 and it is expected to open in September 2010.

Timeline

• Late 2002: The consultation on the new school begins

• February 26 2003: Mayor and Cabinet agree feasibility work on Ladywell Playtower Site as preferred location

• March 17 2004: Mayor and Cabinet agree to a full review of alternatives to Playtower site because the delay in the marketing of the police station that council might not be successful in its bid for property

• June 30 2004: Ladywell Leisure Centre Mayor agrees as the new preferred site for new school because of delay and uncertainty about the probability of securing the current preferred site

• July 2004: Save the Ladywell Pool Campaign begins

• October 20 2004: Mayor looks at report on a review of alternative sites, of which Lewisham Bridge is identified but rejected on the grounds it would have a negetive impact on bringing investment for the town centre redevelopmetn

• June 8 2005: Mayor and Cabinet agree the new school part of BSF programme with PFI funding. Confirmed preferred location of new school is Ladywell Leisure Centre.

• March 2006: The School Organisation Committee, made up of social and church representatives, approved the decision for new school to be built at Ladywell

• May elections: Labour loses its majority in the council

• June 2006: A motion is passed by full council calling for independent advisors to look for alternatives sites to Ladywell

• September 2006: Two sites identified for further feasibility study

• November 8: Steve Bullock at Mayor and Cabinet agrees Lewisham Bridge is the new school site