• DESPITE Linda Grove’s constant promoting the case for Abacus school moving to Hampstead police station and her comments on Carlton school, the answer to me is obvious, (With all the new developments where will children go then? November 28).

Why can’t Abacus do a deal with Camden for their children to occupy or rent vacant classrooms or premises at Carlton school, or another suitable nearby, thus paying rent to them and helping out the financial situation to maintain an excellent state school and stave off the prospect of closure.

As a supposed “free” school they may not like the idea to work with a state school but if they really are sympathetic to Carlton they should prove they mean it.

What also seems to be lost in the debate, despite assurance from Camden leaders, is that no one on the council wants to close it – it is the legal and financial situation based on numbers (as usual) that has brought the situation about.

Furthermore, as a Hampstead resident living close to the police station (not in Downshire Hill), I object to her sarcastic remarks about those residents and I consider there are already far too many schools, mainly private, in Hampstead and the hordes of children already traversing the streets and the havoc caused by the inevitable school-run is quite appalling.

The police station is located at an already busy junction, with traffic usually at a standstill during the school run and peak hours and the pollution is already quite high – to subject even more children to this is inadvisable, and I strongly object to Abacus’ proposal to knock a Grade II-listed building around to suit their requirements.

There appears also to be not enough play space available and then to learn that the school proposes to let out parts of the building to businesses to help their finances sticks in the throat when one considers the plight of Carlton and other schools where Camden desperately needs the money.

I totally support the planning committee’s decision and if it goes to appeal hope that the proposal is rejected.

I hope local voters will remember the actions of our current egomaniac hypocritical and lying prime minister who, when London mayor, closed this and other police stations not to mention Belsize Park and other fire stations, then has the gall to promise an increase in police numbers to boost his popularity.

There must be an election coming up – and I hope people will remember this when voting.

JOHN STRATTON
Thurlow Road, NW3