(ANS – London) – On Tuesday 10th September, Wandsworth Borough Council Planning Committee approved the further development of the Salesian school at Battersea. Planning has been going on for about ten years and this permission means that the new community house and school will open in 2015, the Bi-Centenary year of Don Bosco's birth.

The plan includes the building of a new Salesian Community house on Surrey Lane, a new building for the St John Bosco College at Battersea, and residential developments on both sites of the previous school which will generate funds to build the school.  

“This is very good news and the result of many years of hard work, initially by the Rector, Fr John Dickson, and the Provincial Economer, Fr Mervyn Williams, and more recently by Fr Mervyn and the present Rector, Fr Kieran Anderson, as well as the Governors of Battersea and the representatives from the Archdiocese of Southwark and Wandsworth Local Authority. Congratulations and thanks to all.” So said Fr Martin Coyle, Provincial of the Great Britain Province.

Headmaster Simon Uttley expressed his delight and enthusiasm at the approval. "Listening to the Planning Committee's deliberations was a strangely emotional experience. Nursing a project of this significance makes you very protective and deeply involved. Being able to announce the decision to my staff and students the following day was one of the best experiences I have had in Headship.”

Having a larger more welcoming school in line with the present needs of the young people means that we are able to give a more significant service from the Salesian community in London and England. It is the opportunity for a re-launch of our Salesian  mission and of Catholic education in this area.

Published 01/10/2013