Parents blame campaign group 'vitriol' in Dundonald Primary school expansion row

The Save Dundonald Rec campaign, which is fighting against Merton Council’s plans to redevelop an old pavilion and public land in Dundonald Recreation Ground, was blamed by several parents for putting self-interest above the need to provide more school places.

Having launched in May to oppose proposals to double the number of children at the school from 210 to 420 (starting with adding an extra reception “bulge” class in September), the group has been accused by Labour councillors of running a "scare campaign" engineered by the administration’s Conservative party opponents.

The public meeting on Wednesday night at St Andrew’s Church, in Herbert Road, was attended by over 200 people, many of whom were locked out of an initial consultation evening two weeks ago at the school itself because there was so much interest.

One resident, David Cowling, said: “What is disturbing about this is I do not understand where all this vitriol is coming from. This [pavilion] is not the Sisteen Chapel.”

Ian Henderson, who also supported the council’s plan, said: “The vitriol is absolutely shocking and embarrassing.

"I live 285m away from the school. My eldest son is two-and-a-half and today he wouldn’t get in. If the school doesn’t expand now, we have no chance by the time he is four-and-a-half.

He added: “To listen to the vitriol that has been directed at the school is absolutely disgusting. I think you should be ashamed of yourselves.”

But Lorraine Maries, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the council should look instead at expanding other schools, or creating a new school, in other areas in Merton where demand for school places is even greater.

She said: “We are not opposed to the expansion of the school…. An expanded school would bring in children from as far as 1000m away. These children are not local to Dundonald.”

Another Save Dundunald Rec supporter named Liz said: “I am not sure why we have been portrayed as this vitriolic group… but the issue is that the park is not yours to take.

"If I can use something better than something else, it doesn’t mean I can take it. The park belongs to the people.”

The council’s cabinet member for education, Councillor Peter Walker, said he had a legal obligation to expand Wimbledon schools and warned that the campaigns against could mean Wimbledon children would have to go elsewhere in Merton.

Coun Walker said: “There has been a very, very big campaign against us. Bishop Gilpin school’s governers, under pressure, decided to go against. If the governors of Dundonald decide to go against we will be at a loss.

“If people keep on opposing we will end up with a big yellow bus in Wimbledon which is shipping kids to Mitcham and Morden and I think that is wrong.”

Coun Walker's job as education spokesman is under threat after the Save Dundonald Rec group lodged a complaint that he broke council rules by sending residents in Dundonald ward a letter defending his plans which appeared to be from Merton Council but were from the Labour party.

The initial meeting at Dundonald primary school’s assembly hall became chaotic Wimbledon’s MP, Stephen Hammond, claimed he was not allowed in and the Wimbledon Guardian was told not to take recordings or photographs.

Once again, this newspaper was asked not to take video clips but was allowed to take photos by the chairman, Reverend Steve Coulson, who said he was worried about safeguarding any children who may be present.

Merton Council has said all council meetings can only be filmed with the consent of whomever is the chairman.

Did you attend the meeting? What do you think about expanding Dundonald Primary School? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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