Bromley councillors of different political parties are campaigning with parents and children to secure a new secondary school in Chislehurst.

A planning application for Bullers Wood School for Boys on the site of St Hugh's playing field was accepted in October 2017 before the council reversed the decision last week (January 25).

This led to a protest of more than 400 people on Sunday.

The Conservative council voted nine to seven to reject the new facility, which was a solution to the shortage of secondary school places in Bromley.

Rhian Kanat, a Liberal Democrat campaigner, told News Shopper that the new school was "obviously what is best for the local community", and therefore has galvanised cross-party support.

She said: "This is absolutely a matter of urgency. Families are banking on this school. This is the third year that Year 6 pupils hoped to attend; We need a resolution.

"It doesn't matter what badge you are wearing. We should stand together especially when there is a desperate need for secondary school places."

The Lib Dem campaigner is also a parent and has a son in primary school who she hopes will one day attend Bullers Wood School for Boys.

She also welcomed Conservative MP Bob Neill's letter to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan asking him to call the secondary school in

She said: "It is brilliant Bob Neill has finally got involved. We welcome that. He has written an excellent and pertinent letter. I hope the Mayor's office listens and steps in."

Mr Neill and Conservative leader of the London Assembly Gareth Bacon wrote in the letter to Mr Khan: "Leaving aside procedural matters, this situation means that 180 boys who were expecting to start school in September will not be able to do so - places have been advertised and offers were due to be made in three weeks' time."

The letter concluded: "Given the time constraints and the uncertainty and natural anxiety caused to the families of potential students, we would ask that you give this request your urgent attention."

Bromley Labour councillor Angela Wilkins has also appealed for the Mayor of London to intervene.

She said: "I have written to Sadiq Khan in the hope he will restore sense to a senseless decision by a handful of Bromley councillors. The Borough needs this school, and we need it now.”