RESIDENTS of Battersea are still awaiting the outcome of the long-disputed Bolingbroke hospital site on Wakehurst Road.

Following the hospital’s closure in 2007, the site has remained disused.

Now, St George’s NHS Trust, the owner of the site, is looking to sell to property developers who wish to convert the building into flats.

The money raised from the sale will help develop St. George’s A&E department and expand other key departments.

The Neighbourhood School Campaign (NSC) however, wants to build a secular, non-selective secondary school.

They argue there is no state secondary school in South Battersea and there are not enough school places in the area to meet the population.

Their campaign says: “In a borough that’s growing fast (the birth rate in Wandsworth has risen by 51% over the past eight years) the problem is only going to get worse.”

“Going forward, we’re likely to need 20% more school places; forcing more parents to settle for less, more children to travel further, and more families to leave South Battersea in search of a good state school.”

Lavender Hill resident and father of two, Patrick Cox, said: "I fully support a new school, there is a huge demand for school places in this area and we have to think about the future of our children."

The campaign even has the support of Education secretary Michael Gove who has visited the site and voiced his approval.

The NSC is currently planning to consult with the Battersea community so residents can have their say.

The Trust wishes to have the sale completed by the end of 2010/2011 financial year.

For more information about the Neighbourhood School Campaign, visit: http://www.thensc.net/ Based on information supplied by Gemma Howe.