Plans for the Compass secondary ‘free school’ and a new university technical college to open on part of the Bermondsey campus of Southwark College moved a step closer this week.

“It looks at last as if our battle to have a new secondary school in the north of the borough has been won,” said Simon Hughes MP.

“The campaign which I and many of my constituents have fought for many years is now in sight of the finish line.

“I will not give up working on this issue until the new school and the university technical college are built and open on the Scott Lidgett site and I will do all I can to make sure that Southwark College can remain as the third part of a great educational campus for the people in the north of the borough.”

Compass has now launched its statutory consultation and will be holding a public meeting next week.