Marlborough School has been demolished after a long campaign to save the Victorian building failed.

But protesters say they will continue their fight to hold the council accountable for what they have previously described as an act of “vandalism”.

Jane Solomon led a long battle to save the Chelsea school from the wrecking ball. She said: “There’s nothing left of it. It’s just a load of rubble.”

Her comments come after Milner Street Area Residents Association (MISARA) also lamented the loss of the building, built in 1878.

Controversy over the demolition escalated when it emerged Kensington and Chelsea Council did not have all the required planning permission needed for planned work, which is seeing the school rebuilt along with business and residential units, including affordable housing.

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The council has maintained the oversight does not affect the rebuilding of the school and went ahead with the demolition while waiting for a decision from the Department for Education (DfE) for its playground disposal application.

And Ms Solomon said that there is growing unrest among resident : “The battle continues against the council and it’s growing. People are still contacting me saying we should organise a march outside the building.

“Residents are pretty fed-up. They’re appalled that the council is not taking their wishes into consideration.”

More teaching and play space

Ms Solomon said seven formal complaints have been made to Ombudsmen, and that she was awaiting a response from the royal borough over a complaint regarding the tendering for architects and design team.

She was speaking as MISARA also criticised the loss of the building’s façade in its autumn newsletter. It welcomed improved education facilities but added: “The demolition of a fine Victorian building is a sad event, and diminishes us all.”

The council has argued that the playground disposal application is a separate element of the rebuild. It also says it would be “surprised and disappointed” if it was denied DfE approval.

K&C Council has maintained the new school would be good for the community, providing 50% more teaching space and 70% more outdoor play space. It will also have a specialist autism unit.

Marlborough School has temporarily moved to the John Lewis Clearings site on Draycott Avenue. The land was purchased from John Lewis by Sports Direct and Newcastle FC owner Mike Ashley after it received planning permission to build property on the site.

As part of the planning application money was made available for the new and temporary schools, which is reported to cost around £40m.