Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2017 to Question 107527, whether the need to fund the relocation of flood protection earthworks at the Bowring sports ground SE12 resulted in the purchase of the site being judged novel, contentious or repercussive; and if she will make a statement.

Pursuant to the answer to PQ107527, the purchase of the site has not yet been completed; it remains subject to obtaining planning consent. The Red Book Valuation of the site was within the threshold agreed with HM Treasury, therefore approval was not required for the exchange of contracts for the former Bowring Sports Ground.

The department was aware of the site conditions at the point of exchanging contracts e.g. the site is designated Metropolitan Open Land and has Flood Zone 3 status. As is usual, the subsequent design development required for a planning application has considered those site conditions, including the proposal to relocate part of the flood defence wall. Design development is part of the usual process for developing proposals for free school projects. Prior to submitting the planning application, the department will assess the revised cost plan associated with those proposals. At this time, the proposals are not considered novel, contentious or repercussive.