A new 630 place primary school in Croydon has been approved by the Housing Secretary after an initial rejection by the council.
The appeal concerned a piece of land formerly occupied by a day hospital. The appellant wanted to build a new school that would occupy the premises and provide education for up to 360 children between the ages of four and 11.
Without the room for an outdoor play area, the school would include a "play deck" on its roof and a "multi-use games area" on its second floor.
When it was initially considered by the council they considered the roof top "inadequate" and they suggested a smaller school with less pupils.
However, Inspector Ware disagreed commenting the school could provide "high-quality modern building, with strong elevational lines and a deliberately limited palette of materials".
Brokshire agreed with Ware and ruled the play deck and indoors games area resolved any problems of play space, and the appeal was allowed.
