Proposals for 'EdCity' Educational Hub in White City Unveiled
Residents asked to give feedback on new plans for Friday 1 December
Residents of White City and the wider Shepherd's Bush area are being invited to give feedback on updated plans to transform Ark Swift Primary Academy in White City and nearby Harmony Nursery to create an innovative educational hub called EdCity have been updated.
The proposals were first shown to local people at exhibitions last weekend and are now available online.
The plans would see the site currently occupied by the academy, nursery and the Adult Community Learning Centre on Australia Road redeveloped to create a new school and nursery.
It would also include new affordable and private housing, the irst OnSide Youth Zone in west London, offering affordable activities for local young people, as well as new offices, a revamped adult education centre and a public square.
A public consultation on the initial plans for EdCity was held a year ago, and received feedback from both resident and local organisations. Since then, H&F Council has joined as a partner, and additional private and affordable housing has been added to ensure the project is deliverable and local needs are met.
The team behind the project say that they hope to apply for full planning permission early next year, and if the planning application is approved, Ed City will provide:
- A brand new, state-of-the-art, two-form entry Ark Swift Primary Academy, alongside improved play facilities
- Expanded facilities for the Ofsted-outstanding Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery, increasing its capacity from 46 places to 75, and building new play space
- Activities for local young people aged 8-19, or up to 25 with additional needs, in a new OnSide Youth Zone, open seven days a week. Alongside the vast array of engaging activities (including climbing, dance, drama and art, as well as a wide range of sports and music), the Youth Zone team will work in partnership with local organisations to support young people to broaden their horizons through employability and mentoring workshops
- A council-operated, expanded adult education and community learning centre
- 132 new homes, 50 per cent of which would be affordable homes to help meet local need, with the other half available for private rent
- Around 12,000 sq m of new office space for education charity Ark and other tenants
- A new pedestrian route connecting the White City estate and Dorando Close
- A new, high-quality public square
Andrew McLean, development manager at Ed City says: " We want people to come along to our consultation events and find out about our latest plans. These offer lots of exciting benefits to local people in White City, whether that is through state-of-the-art educational facilities, new affordable housing or a new Youth Zone that offers affordable activities for young people every day of the week."
Local people are asked to make their comments by Friday, 1 December by completing the online form or writing to EdCity consultation, c/o 7 Bayley Street, London WC1B 3HB.
For further information call 020 7323 3544 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm) or email info@edcity.co.uk.
November 27, 2017