A historic 19th century school is to be demolished despite currently being considered for listing status by English Heritage.

Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber


Julian Lloyd Webber, British solo cellist and brother to composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has joined the fight to save the school from the wrecking ball.

At a Major Development Planning Committee meeting this week councillors voted in favour of the demolition of Marlborough Primary School and associated planning applications for the Clearings one and two sites by John Lewis.

This was despite John Lewis's refusal to place the £26.6million 106 agreement money into a council account as is the usual policy, but in an independent escrow account instead.

The new school, which will replace the original built in 1877 on Draycott place, is part of a multi-million pound scheme which will include commercial office buildings, private apartments, town houses and affordable housing.

Julian Lloyd Webber said: "This is dreadful news. It will be a crying shame if this beautiful and historic building is demolished because the listing came too late. Once it's gone it's gone. It is a truly desperate situation and indeed a murky one as far as I'm concerned. When you have a company as big as John Lewis involved who already have a phenomenal amount of power in that area, my suspicions are raised. It shouldn't be about big business which prices everybody but the Russian Oligarchs out of South Kensington.

"The plans for the new school are completely out of character for the area. The existing Marlborough school building is beautiful and totally in keeping with the area. And what about the children? For four years, which is one child's whole primary school life, they will have to go to an interim school on the clearings site. This is far from ideal. It is a murky business."

James Hughes from the Victorian Society said: "In terms of an official response, I would express our deep disappointment at the outcome of the Committee discussion. The building is handsome, impressive and expresses the pride inherent in a structure that was intended to serve a public good. It has functioned adequately for over 130 years, and could very well continue to do so. The decision is short-sighted and one that in time will be regretted. It is a building which should be used and cherished and this part of London will be architecturally poorer and less interesting for its loss."

Chair of the school governors Susan Walker said: "I am very pleased that the scheme was approved although we now have to wait for the listing status which is a bit of a worry. There are pros and cons with everything but I really do believe that the good outweighs the bad here. A few years back we did actually go through a process of investigating how the existing school could have been extended and modernised and we found that it could have been done. But the energy efficiency has always been an issue in a building of this age. Even with the commercial building, which will be built on the school site, we will still have more space."

An English Heritage spokeswoman said: “English Heritage received an application to assess Marlborough Primary School in Kensington for listing following the submission of a proposal for demolition.  A visit was recently made to the school and our advice report will shortly be going to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who will take the decision whether or not to list. The planning application is a matter for the local authority.”

A council spokesman said: "The council last night granted planning permission for a high quality new Marlborough Primary School and the residential redevelopment of the neighbouring John Lewis Clearings site on Draycott Avenue. To allow for the construction of the new primary school, the Clearings site will firstly be converted to an interim school.

"The new Marlborough Primary School will allow expansion from a single-form entry to a two-form entry school with an improved learning environment. The new school will include a nursery and specialist autism centre and allow for a new pedestrian link to Sloane Avenue.

"The decision by the Major Planning Committee comes after consultation between John Lewis, the local community and the Council. "