Hundreds of people gathered in Chelsea on Tuesday (July 7) to protest against the planned demolition of Victorian-built Marlborough School.
Nearly 1,500 signatures have already been collected on a petition calling for the school in Chelsea, which was built in 1878, to be saved.
Demolition work is due to begin following the end of term, with the school temporarily relocating to the nearby John Lewis Clearing site, before it hopes to move into its new purpose-built facility in two years time.
The 137-year-old building, which will be replaced with new office and retail space as well as a new primary school, was due to be considered for Listing status by English Heritage before planning permission was granted.
Jane Solomon has been taking to Kings Road to get the target 1,500 names on the petition.
She said: “People can’t believe its going to be demolished, they can’t believe nothing is in place to stop it happening.”
Under plans the school will temporarily move to the John Lewis Clearings site on Draycott Avenue. The land was recently purchased by Sports Direct and Newcastle FC owner Mike Ashley, and as part of the deal money was made available for the new and temporary schools, which is reported to cost around £40m.
Ms Solomon said Kensington & Chelsea Council is keen to push the deal through and warned it could serve as a precedent.
She said: “The Victorian Society and Julian Lloyd Webber have been fighting the council the council are rampaging through with it.
“This will start happening everywhere, it won’t stop here because land has become so valuable that the council are trying to sell everything.”
Around 15 people gathered for the demonstration this week outside the Peter Jones store in Sloane Square.
In May, Marlborough headteacher Jessica Finer said it would be sad to leave, but backed the decision to rebuild the school.
She said: “At the moment we have to squeeze into the building and make it work for us and that can be quite tricky at time, this is a real opportunity for the school.
“Everyone has mixed feelings but there is a sense of excitement.”
As part of the proposals, parts of the original building, such as the 1878 fascia will be embedded into the new building, to connect the old with the new.
It will include a specialist autism unit, dance studio, art room and creative media suite.
A council spokesman said: “A new, enlarged Marlborough Primary School will be good news for children, parents and staff. It will mean full access for pupils with mobility problems, it will mean pupils are in a building that meets the expectations of parents and teachers, in short it will be a fantastic new school to learn in.
“Neighbours of the school have been involved in discussions with the Council and John Lewis as the plans have developed and the vast majority of residents, staff and parents have been supportive of the proposals and we are sure that everyone will be impressed when they see the results."
He said English Heritage declined to list the building after looking at it.
