Turn school site into green space

Harry Bell (September 7) thoughtfully considered an alternative to the block of student flats being proposed for the St Mary Bredin school site.

A restaurant is certainly possible but, as he notes, perhaps there are too many restaurants in Canterbury already. However, there is surely a better way forward for this important and historic location.

The land on which the school rests is the last remaining sliver of the large site purchased by Canbury Holdings Limited in 2014. Since then, we have had a series of planning applications for student flats, and two have been completed: Petros Court, adjacent to Lansdown Road, with 418 en-suite student rooms for Christ Church University, and Palamon Court on the ring road, with selfcontained apartments to house 539 students. Planning permission has been granted for another 153 rooms at the old Arts School site, making 1,110 in total, and now another application is about to be made for a further 158, on the St Mary Bredin School site.

Though the whole Canbury Holdings site is central and very visible, residents have had no real say on what they would like to see built there. On a large plot like this, the public might have chosen a mix of small business units, interacting perhaps with the nearby university, some social housing and some open space. We have none of this yet and only one 10th of the land is left, but it is not too late to seek a creative solution.

Unfortunately, the current development plans for student flats require not only the removal of the Victorian school but also the destruction of what remains of the mound below it. Though it is of some architectural interest, the St Mary Bredin School probably does not rate as a particular gem and now looks somewhat incongruous in its isolation. There also seems doubt as to whether it can be safely and viably preserved without great expenditure. So if it must go then could we not demolish the school and leave the mound intact? There is a desperate need for open space on the south side of the ring road for students and residents alike. Chris Tucker, committee member, Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association (OHSCA) Vernon Place, Canterbury

Picture: Chris Davey FM4070246 The former St Mary Bredin School