10:12am Thursday 3rd May 2007
By Alex Ali
ROUND two of the fight to get the first Hindu school in the UK built in Harrow has started.
The I-foundation's plans to build the state-funded Krishna Avanti School on the William Ellis Playing Field, Camrose Avenue, Edgware, were submitted to Harrow Council's planning department this week.
But the plans have met with mixed reactions.
Len Halsey, chairman of William Ellis Resident's Association, said: "As a prinicple we have always supported the idea of a Hindu school in the borough but what we are saying is the location is not the right place for the school."
The I-foundation's plans to build the school at Pinner Park Farm were rejected when it conducted a three-week period of public consultation.
And Mr Halsey added: "The first consultation was flawed. I think the I- Foundation, the council and the residents would accept that."
The charitable organisation's latest plans have been approved by Belmont Football Club who would be effectively ground-sharing with the proposed devlopment.
Building work could start as soon as September and the I-Foundation wants to erect a one-form entry, mixed primary school for 210 pupils, with a 26-place nursery on the playing field.
Plans are also afoot for a playground and playing fields, 20 car parking spaces and three minibus spaces.
There will be an additional ten drop-off spaces and 26 cycle spaces are proposed, as well as an access road and 20 car parking spaces for Belmont Football Club.
The application includes detailed technical assessments of the school's impact on the local environment including transport and access, water and flooding, ground conditions, ecology, air quality and noise.
Nitesh Gor, director of I-Foundation, said: "We have consulted extensively with the local community over the past six months and feel that the planning application we have submitted is for a school that can be a beacon for Harrow and something the whole community can be proud of."
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