Plans to build a primary school on a Bromley park have been shelved.

Havelock Recreation Ground on Havelock Road had been earmarked as the permanent site for La Fontaine Academy, which opened in temporary accommodation at Princes Plain, last September.

Residents, councillors and Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill have campaigned against the proposals.

But the school, which specialises in French, must vacate its current site in July next year and find a new home as it is needed to expand Princes Plain Primary School.

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has been working with Bromley Council to find a permanent site for the school and identified the park as its preferred choice.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Joyce Way, 78, who used to live in nearby Canon Road, told News Shopper: “The news is brilliant and common sense has prevailed.

“It would have been no good for the school and no good for the residents.”

Councillor Michael Rutherford, who represents Bromley Town Ward, said: “We were very concerned about the loss of this valuable recreation ground as well as the large volume of traffic it will bring to an already busy area.”

The council says it has already been looking at alternative sites for the school and will be discussing these options with the EFA.

Bromley resident Daniel Bentley, of Albert Road, has a three-year-old daughter, who will be starting school in September.

The 34-year-old said: “La Fontaine is one of the schools that we would have liked her to go to.

“It’s a great shame they are not being given the go ahead. They have been looking at sites for quite some time as I understand it."

He added: “There needs to be more school places in this area. There are lots of homes being built.

“The council really needs to look at the bigger picture and consider the children.”

Councillor Nicky Dykes said: “We fully understand the need for the school places and are very keen to help find a suitable home for La Fontaine which will be a great asset to the Borough."

News Shopper has contacted La Fontaine Academy for comment.