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A multi-million-pound faith school is under investigation over claims that it is in breach of planning rules.
The Sikh Khalsa primary school in Southall is set to open in September but Ealing council is investigating after residents complained it is a "monstrosity" which will invade their privacy.
They say planning documents failed to show how close the school would be to their homes, but the voluntary-aided school claims plans are correct and residents misinterpreted them.
The school, which is costing more than £20million, received £13.2million from the Department for Children, Schools and Families and £4.9million from the Learning Skills Council.
Thousands of pounds were also raised at the nearby Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara - the largest Sikh temple outside India, which is in charge of the school. The temple's committee pledged to build the school "for Sikhs and children of all other faiths in the community" and was granted permission in 2007. It is being built on the 12-acre site of Norwood Hall, a Grade-II listed building designed by Sir John Soane. But residents of Cranborne Avenue claim the size of the building - which is in a conservation area - bears no resemblance to the images in the planning permission. They have protested to Mayor Boris Johnson and Southall MP Virendra Sharma.
Amrik Singh, a 59-year-old mortgage adviser, said: "It is in blatant contravention of Section 3 [of the Ealing Unitary Development Plan] that states any development should be small-scale and sympathetic to its setting." Michael Searle, chairman of the Norwood Green residents' association, said: "This towering monstrosity is unbelievable."
A spokeswoman for Ealing council said: "The council has been contacted by residents concerned that building work is not in line with the planning permission. If the school was found to be in breach the council would, if necessary, take enforcement action."
Reader views (16)
Gordon of Slough, You have hit a nail on the head. I'm a Sikh, I too believe that by having religious schools you are segregating the future generation into different societies.I for one will never send my children in one of those religious schools.I would teach my kids about my culture and language at home.I too say end charitable status now. Let there be an enquiry about the planning permission,and law be uphold.
- Surj, london
Our family moved into cranbourne avenue in 1967 then a quiet upper class street. Every time i visit the uk the street changes,my families backyard now has new dwellings constructed in the back yards of the rear existing homes bad enough. Looking at this monster at the end of Cranbourne avenue enough is enough best of luck with your fight. Nigel Geelong
- Nigel Searle, Geelong
I am not against sikh school but at lest this should be situated away from the residential area. Building is so close to Cranborne Avenue, it does not look good at all.
Frankly speaking I don't believe that any Sikh family will send their children to other faith schools except Christian schools if they had a option and learn about other faiths, so how they expect that the children from other faiths will take admission in there school even it is open for all other faiths of the community
- Seema, Norwood Green, UK
I have no objection to the school on this site. However I am amazed that permission has been given for the building which is being constructed at the end of Cranborne Avenue. This is a three storey structure up against the boundary of a two storey residential property and overlooks the house and garden.One question I would raise is whether a proper rights of light survey has been carried out. I am sure this building significantly reduces the light to the residential property, particularly as it is blocking the south facing elevation. If proven then enforcement could be to reduce the height of the building or demolish it, and I believe this to be regardless of planning permission.
- Paul C, Southall, UK
I too am a (non-sikh) resident of Norwood Green and have no compunction about the fact it is a faith school. The problem is the monstrosity that is the building and its proximity to neighbouring houses. There is also the blight on the landscape on what is one of the few remaining picturesque villages in west London.
The cloak and dagger actions of the local council and the body who have proposed this school DOES need investigating, but my main gripe is the construction itself. By the way - I, and many residents like me, did not receive notice of this construction's planning.
- Neilf, London, UK
ronnie, sanjay i take on board your comments. but please come and drive down our road and look at the construction which is being built on a plot of land which stretches to over 7 acres and yet it only 7 metres from our garden. it is not the school we are objecting to. it could have been a factory, a hospital or any other public building. this issue we are adressing is the location and its proximity to our homes..it overlooks into our bedrooms to say the least. and yes, the general feeling is that there has been fould play in the planning application procedure. a seven page letter issued by norwood green residents association raising key issues was ignored by the council and was submitted back in 2007. several locations were chosen on the plot of land and the architects actually suggested a central plot of land which would have been favourable to all concerned. so before you make assumptions and insinuate we are against a faith school, please take the time to drive down our ride and see what we are talking about
- Karen, norwood green, london
Just to add to my previous comment and responding to Mr Smythe's comments.
Lets make things clear. The main resentment towards the school development is not becuase its a faith school but becuase of the scale and the level of intrusion on residents.
You have to ask the simple question. If that building was right next to the house would you be happy. I think most reasonable people would know the answer.
Just look at the picture. Does that development look reasonble to you and looks comfortable in its surroundings?
- John, South Bucks, UK
With regard to your comment Ronnie about the "Laughable comments aboe" I would say would you like a huge monstrosity like that overlooking your home and invading you privacy. Thought not!
In addition the original plans for this school were misleading in the respect that did not appear as close to the residential area/ boundries as they have now resulted.
As with must consulatations they are arranged at time when the least amount of people can make it and of course not fully consult with residents.
If their was this supposed huge consultation, you would think the residents would have been made fully aware of the full scale of the development. But as usual with councils they want to mislead the public and push through plans on the quiet.
Its quite intresting that one of the memebers of the Norwood Green Village Association (or similar name) wrote a letter to residents to demanding they do not to conatact the council to reject the delevlopment.
Beleive me the letter exists and a few of the residents in the street in question have a copy.
This raises questions whether the granted planning permission was not helped on its way through non official/legitimate means.
Its building developments like this that made me leave the Hounslow area. I have no problems with new schools being built but not to the scale and level of intrusion of this development.
Quite intresting that tbe people that have commented in favour of this building don't live next to it.
- John, South Bucks, UK
I am ashamed to read the above comments especially by Sikhs themselves. You live in this country and have full right to a school which will cater for the needs of your children, and sometimes it will come at a small price to pay. I am sure if you implore the council they will be able to make some helpful changes for the residents. We seem to be forgetting that it is a Primary school not a nuclear power plant that stands to jeopardise your lives and sanity.
Also to the non-Sikh readers, perhaps if we start by closing down all Christian and other faith schools first. Then perhaps we will have grounds to refuse Sikh schools. Why do these children not have the right to learn about their faith and gain an education?
- Mr Smythe, london
Laughable comments aboe
firstly im for this school..the hayes school has proed very popular and was highly rated and achieved high grades in comparison to other schools.
the consultation process ws huge..more then ive seen of others..so am very surprised peopel are still 'shocked' about this.
- Ronnie, Heston
I am on of the residents whose house is situated on the street affected. We are from a Sikh family but have lived on a quite cul-de - sac for over 20 years. For this school to be built without any clear consultation process by the council and and a total lack of consideration for our rights to privacy, noise, traffice, sunlight issues is beyond me. The whole neighbourhood is up in arms whether they are of white or sikh background!
- Pamela, London
The Government should stop all funding of religous schools. They promote segragation of children from all walks of life.
Remove the charitible status from all religions as well while you are at it.
- Gordon, Slough
Harry, brainwashed?! When have you ever seen the Sikhs touting their religion on the street as you commonly do with other faiths? The Sikh High School in Southall is one of the top schools in the country and I think you'll find most of the teachers are... not sikh... and white!
With regards to the residents, I can sympathise as I know the area. It's a peaceful place but traffic is already a problem during peak periods. The extra traffic generated by this school would be my biggest worry.
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK
I pay £1200 per month as taxes. I am happy that school is established . Any concern of residents should be addressed anyway as per law.
- Gagandeep Singh, cambridge, UK
Over £18m given by the tax payer to build a monstrosity of a school that will be used to brainwash young people. Yes all religion is brainwashing, some are just worse than others.
How many Humanist schools have been funded by the taxpayer?
- Harry H, London UK
Erm "voluntary aided school" when over 18mil of the 20mil building costs were put up by the taxpayer....????
- Mark, London
