Holland Park School redevelopment given go-ahead

But the council's cabinet gave the green light to selling this land to fund construction of a new school on October 22 at a meeting packed with teachers from Holland Park School,

The new building is expected to open in September 2012 and will contain science labs, arts, dance and music facilities and meeting rooms.

There will also be an indoor 25-metre swimming pool, a modern gym and all-weather sports pitches which will replace the current tarmac pitches that pupils are unable to use in bad weather.

Colin Hall, headteacher of Holland Park School, said: "The school community is thoroughly delighted with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's decision regarding Holland Park School.

"It marks the end of nine years' planning and preparation."It will be very exciting now to move forward and building this impressive school for children of the future.

"We look forward to all that it will involve."

Bids have now been received which will allow the council to proceed with its plans for the school.

Enabling works will begin in November and a temporary school will be built on site by August 2010, to house pupils while the works are carried out.

Council leader Cllr Merrick Cockell said: "Holland Park is the borough's only community secondary school and we're very proud of the fine progress it has made in recent years.

"We and the school are determined that its current buildings, which have reached the end of their serviceable life, will not be allowed to hold the school back."

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