Detail of part of the perimeter fence

A TOP city politician described the council’s designs for a new school for vulnerable children as “dreadful”, “grim”, “horrible”, and “like a prison”, just before the application was waved through.

The new College Park Pimlico unit for special education needs children is moving into the former Westminster Cathedral Primary School that was closed last year, after more than 150 years, due to an admissions and funding crisis.

The Diocese of Westminster is leasing the site to Westminster City Council, whose upgrade plan, including an imposing 2.5-metre mesh fence, was approved by the planning committee on Tuesday.

But Cllr Ruth Bush, who chairs the committee, said: “I am thrilled that this premises is going to be reused as a school. It is so good to be using it for this purpose. But my biggest concern is it looks so dreadful in design terms.”

A former Lord Mayor, and respected voice at City Hall in Victoria, she criticised the 2.5-metre perimeter fence as “hideous” asking why it could not be fitted with plants.

She said: “I don’t understand why people should have to come to a place that on the face of it looks like a prison. There is no reason why that can’t look nice too.”

She suggested that a future school project could be to get the children “to decorate that thing because it looks horrible”.

Cllr Ruth Bush [Westminster Labour]

Cllr Bush added: “It’s not a fun thing to see in front of you when you come into this space, if you are a child or young person… Things matter visually. They have an impact on you… What we have been asked to approve is grim.”

She added she was “disappointed” the city council didn’t send anyone to the meeting to “sell us” the new plans for the site, which is flanked by a Grade II-listed terrace of homes in Balniel Gate and Bessborough Street.

There had been four objections from residents who had criticised the “utilitarian nat­ure” of the gates and fencing around the school.

“The design appears ­ind­ustrial which would be out of character with the surrounding area to the detriment of the character and appearance of the streetscene,” said one resident.

“This is an opportunity to improve the appearance of the existing school site.”

The planning meeting heard that the previous school had 210 children and 32 staff but the new school would have 50 children and 50 staff. The school would be open on evenings and weekends “more often” than before and also in school holidays.

Objections had been made by residents concerning the lack of concrete information about how the new unit would be run when it is open.

But Conservative councillor Jason Williams said “it is not a prison site, it is a welcoming environment”, and added: “This is so needed in this part of the borough.

“Getting this on site would be my priority.”

The application was approved by all councillors on the committee.