The Mayor has approved a controversial multi-million pound deal to sell off the playing fields belonging to Holland Park Community School.
Boris Johnson waved through the sale of the £72.6million grounds at Holland Park Community School to fund new buildings, sports pitches and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
But residents, including ex-Tory minister Sir Timothy Sainsbury, are furious at the loss of more than 1.6 acres of land. The school will be knocked down and replaced with a brand new "facility" with an extra 100 places, a gym and 20 per cent more outside space but with luxury flats on the fields. The Government Office for London will make the final decision on the sale but the matter could go to the High Court.
Sir Timothy said: "There's a great deal of hostility towards these plans. Now we will wait and see what the Government Office for London comes up with, which will be to call it in and have a public inquiry to give a more independent assessment than Kensington and Cheslea."
David White, chairman of the Campden Hill Residents Association, said: "We're very disappointed with the Mayor's decision given he's said so much about not selling off school playing fields."
Mr Johnson called the scheme "a school fit for the 21st century".
