Brent Council rejects plans to relocated the London Welsh School to a park in Wembley

The London Welsh School is currently in Stonebridge. Picture credit: Jan Nevill (Image: Archant)

The London Welsh School (Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain), in Shakespeare Avenue, Stonebridge, sought permission to move to an unused bowling pavilion in King Edward VII Park in Park Lane.

Residents in the area fought the proposals claiming the park should be kept for the use of the community.

Friends of King Eddie’s Park (FKEP) had launched a petition calling for the council to give them the lease to the bowling pavilion and accompanying green for residents to preserve as a sports club and use as a community hub.

Yesterday, Brent Council’s planning committee turned the application down.

Denise Cheong, chair of FKEP, told the Times: “Friends of King Eddie’s Park, Wembley Central and Preston Ward councillors worked in partnership to protect King Edward VII Park for the people of Wembley and Brent. We will endeavour to proceed along this path to create a Community Asset that Wembley and Brent can be proud of.”

Jaine Lunn added:”Very pleased that the councillors saw sense. Let’s hope that the Friends of King Eddie’s Park and all supporters now focus their energies on creating a new bowls/recreational sport pavilion and community space/venue.”The London Welsh School needs a new home as its current location is being redeveloped to accommodate new homes and an expansion of Stonebridge Primary School.

The school currently has 30 pupils aged from three to 11 and was first opened in Willesden in 1958 before moving to Stonebridge.

It is the only Welsh speaking school outside of Wales apart from Ysgol yr Hendre in Trelew in Patagonia, Argentina.

Stonebridge Adventure Playground, also in Shakespeare Avenue, is also a casualty of the development plans.

It will closed on April 1 after Brent Council voted to axe its funding and demolish the building.