An application allowing Marlborough School land to be disposed of has been approved by the government.

Campaigners opposed to the rebuilding of the school had argued the oversight by Kensington and Chelsea Council meant the demolition was “unlawful” .

The local authority disagreed and has now received S77 consent from the Department for Education (DfE).

The plan is to demolish the Victorian built primary school in Chelsea with a more modern and fit-for-purpose Marlborough School, complete with playground on the roof. The proposal, which will also see accommodation, retail and office space on the site was vehemently opposed by some in the community.

New Marlborough School building
How the new Marlborough School will look

Among them was Jane Solomon, who branded the council “morally corrupt” when addressing it at a meeting on the matter in October last year.

She said: “It’s not a surprise because it’s a Conservative government and Conservative council, and it’s so far gone that I would’ve been really surprised if they stopped it in its tracks.

“But I find it absolutely disgusting that we are going to have shops like Chanel built on our playgrounds and have the kids playing on the roof. I’m not surprised but I’m absolutely disgusted.”

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The council had long argued that failure to secure disposal of land did not affect demolition of the school, built in 1878, and that it would be “surprised and disappointed” if permission was refused.

'More playing space for kids'

A spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision and understand that the Department for Education appreciated the many improvements that we are making with the new Marlborough School and acknowledged that adding offices and shops in the vicinity is a sensible, complementary development”.

And a DfE spokesman said: “We have approved an application from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to dispose part of Marlborough Primary School’s land in order to make room for a commercial building. As part of the local authority’s requirements a public path will also be built.

“The school will be fully rebuilt and pupils will benefit from more playing space - around 69% more - than before.”

A petition put together by Ms Solomon to save the original Marlborough School and with 1,700 names on it was given to K&C Council last year.

It has been now been demolished , with the new Marlborough School due to open in September 2017.

Pupils are currently being taught at an interim school on the John Lewis Clearings site .