Hackney groups bid to take over former school

Local residents and groups have announced their plans to repurpose the Colvestone Primary School building as a creative hub

Hackney charities and organisations have launched a bid to take over the old Colvestone Primary School building after the council recognised the site as an asset of community value (ACV).

A consortium of local residents and groups announced their proposal last month to save the east London building from deteriorating by repurposing it as a creative and cultural hub, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It comes after Hackney Council closed the school along with three others in August last year due to falling pupil numbers.

Further primary school closures have been proposed by the council and are expected to go ahead in August 2025.

The consortium's proposal argues "early reoccupation" would prevent the building from deteriorating and bring down costs for the council, and it suggested the council could offer an interim or long-term lease for groups to move into the space while it determines the building's future.

Those taking part in the bid include Pollock's Toy Museum, Julian Joseph's Music Hub, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, and Mercury Prize-shortlisted musician and producer Samuel Shepherd, known as Floating Points.

The plans are also supported by several businesses hoping to offer lessons in art, music, furniture, clothes-making, recycling, and more.

Parents had protested the council's decision to close the school

"Schools are closing as a result of London becoming unaffordable for young families, [and] councils are being starved of government funds," said the consortium's co-ordinator Bill Parry-Davies.

"Viable alternative uses that confer community benefits, like the Colvestone School bid, are possible and these would preserve and enhance the rich architectural, educational and social heritage which these former schools embody."

Under the Localism Act 2011, once buildings are listed as ACVs with the local authority, the community has a right to bid for the property if the council decides to sell it.

This triggers a moratorium period to allow locals to raise funds to purchase the building before any private sale takes place.

Hackney Council's cabinet member for finance, councillor Robert Chapman, said: "We are committed to finding the most sustainable and most appropriate uses for all former school sites in the borough.

"It is now for the organisations and associations that have sought such recognition to demonstrate they can bring the building and land into sustainable use.

"In the meantime, we will continue to develop our own plans for this site and others.

"It remains the case that any change of use of a former school requires the consent of the Secretary of State."