Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council last night approved a proposal for a major new education charity hub – paving the way for a scheme that will benefit thousands of children and young people for years to come and help to regenerate the White City area.
The EdCity development was brought forward by the education charity Ark and by Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council. When complete, it will provide shared office space for mission-aligned charities, as well as a primary school, a nursery, new youth facilities, an adult education centre and new affordable homes.
EdCity will create:
A new building for Ark Swift Primary Academy, with brand new facilities including outdoor learning spaces, improved IT, sports, and performing arts facilities. Ark Swift Primary Academy is rated Good by Ofsted
An improved Harmony Neighbourhood Nursery, nearly doubling its capacity and providing much-needed early years education in the local area. Harmony is rated Outstanding by Ofsted
The new OnSide Youth Zone, named WEST by local young people, that will offer an array of after-school, weekend and evening activities and opportunities for the local community aged between 8 and 19, including those aged up to 25 with a disability.
An expanded and transformed adult education and community learning centre– providing training and learning opportunities for local residents
132 new homes,more than half of which will be genuinely affordablefor local people and key workers including teachers
A new hubfor education charities, providing office and collaboration space for Ark and mission-aligned organisations
A new boulevard and public square, providing better walking and cycling routes fromthe White City estate in the west to the redeveloped business district and transport hub in the east, as well as public space for the community to use
The redeveloped primary school will be completed in 2021, with EdCity fully finished in 2023. Ark and the Council are sharing the funding of the £120m project.
Lucy Heller, Chief Executive of Ark, said: “We are delighted that EdCity has been approved. We are looking forward to working in partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council and others to provide better opportunities for children locally, in London and beyond.”
Mark Davies, Chair of Hammersmith and Fulham Youth Zone, said: “We are extremely excited to open West London’s first OnSide Youth Zone in White City. It will give young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.”
