Council Challenges Scrapping of New Mortlake Secondary School
Government not funding building on Stag Brewery site to prioritise SEND provision
A CGI of the previously planned school from planning documentation
January 28, 2026
Controversial plans to build a secondary school in a new South West London neighbourhood are facing the axe. Richmond Council is appealing the Government’s decision to scrap the construction of Livingstone Academy West London, which was planned as part of the £1.3billion regeneration of the former Stag Brewery site in Mortlake.
The council said the decision would put more pressure on already overstretched secondary school places in the eastern part of Richmond. It said Livingstone Academy would have addressed this longstanding shortfall in provision, following years of work between the council and Aspirations Academies Trust.
Livingstone Academy is one of 28 planned mainstream free schools that the Government is due to axe, after carrying out a year-long review into whether they offered value for money.
The Department for Education (DfE) confirmed in December plans for only 16 of the 44 reviewed mainstream free schools would proceed, while it was minded to cancel the remaining 28 projects. Trusts and councils can appeal the decision.
The announcement came as the Government pledged to create 50,000 more school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools in England. It promised to invest at least £3bn into this over the next three years, partly funded by cancelling some planned mainstream free schools.
On top of this, the Government said it would deliver on all 10,000 places due to be created by planned special free schools – either by building these schools or giving councils the cash to create the specialist places themselves.
CGI of the scheme for the former Stag Brewery viewed from across the river in Chiswick. Picture: Reselton Properties Limited/Squire and Partners
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Government had decided to cancel building some of the mainstream free schools where there were falling primary school pupil rolls and spare capacity.
She said the number of primary school pupils in England had been declining since 2019, while the number of young people with SEND had risen to at least 1.7 million – an increase of 400,000 students since 2020.
Ms Phillipson said: “Instead of adding a few thousand mainstream free school places where sufficient capacity already exists, we will deliver places that enable pupils with SEND to access the right support in a setting close to home – making mainstream provision more inclusive and ensuring specialist support is available where it is most needed.
“This is how we renew our education system—by building provision that is inclusive by design, anchored in need, and focused on high and rising standards for all.”
While Richmond Council welcomed the Government’s plans to increase provision for children with SEND, it said this must not come at the expense of places for pupils without additional needs.
The authority argued there were not enough secondary school places in the eastern part of the borough, and said demand should not be met by sending students to schools in neighbouring boroughs away from their support networks.
CGI of the scheme for the former Stag Brewery. Picture: Reselton Properties Limited/Squire and Partners
Lib Dem council leader Gareth Roberts said: “This is a deeply disappointing proposal. For several years now, children in the east of our borough have missed out on being offered a secondary school place on national offer day because demand already exceeds supply. That is not a future risk – it is happening now.
“The Livingstone Academy would have provided much-needed capacity and real choice for families, particularly with significant housing growth planned locally. Decisions about school places must reflect the realities communities are facing on the ground.”
Lib Dem councillor Julia Cambridge, chair of the education committee, added: “Families consistently tell us they want their children to attend school close to home, alongside friends and support networks. Expecting young people to travel out of the borough is not a realistic or fair solution – particularly given the continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge and the travel challenges that creates.
“Livingstone Academy would have offered something genuinely distinctive, with a focus on technology and digital creativity that is not currently available in Richmond or neighbouring boroughs. That opportunity should not be lost lightly.”
Planning inspector Glen Rollings approved developer Reselton Properties’ plans to regenerate the former Stag Brewery site last year, after a 10-year battle culminating in a public inquiry in 2024.
Mr Rollings approved both applications making up the scheme – one for 1,075 new housing units, including only 65 affordable flats, and the other for a 1,200-place secondary school with a sixth form.
He made the decision after hearing evidence from Reselton and the council in support of the scheme, along with objections from the Greater London Authority (GLA), Mortlake Brewery Community Group (MBCG) and West London River Group (WLRG).
MBCG had repeatedly raised concerns about the need for a new secondary school on the site.
While the new school is set to be axed, the rest of the scheme is proceeding as planned and will also see new restaurants, shops and offices built on the 22-acre site.
Charlotte Lilywhite - Local Democracy Reporter
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