A beloved nursery in south west London that has been called a "second home" to families is facing closure.

Richmond Council confirmed it will not extend the lease held by The Pavilion Montessori School, on Vine Road, in Barnes, past July 2026 as it plans to redevelop the park in which it sits.

The Council approved a masterplan for the redevelopment of Vine Road Recreation Ground in 2022, which was put together by The Friends of Barnes Common (FoBC) – a group which operates from the grounds and manages the neighbouring Barnes Common on the council's behalf.

The masterplan outlines improvements to the park including a new café, toilets, adventure playground and wetland area.

The Council confirmed in its Vine Road Recreation Ground Management Plan 2024/25 that funding had been secured to put together a formal planning application for the works.

It informed parents in May it had decided not to renew the nursery's lease past July 2026, as part of the park's planned redevelopment.

The Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the nursery, which opened on the grounds in 1984, currently operates from a pavilion which has reached the end of its usable life.

It added the nursery has been given enough time to consider its future options.

But a total of 571 people have signed a Change.org petition urging the Council to reverse its decision, which it says sparked "deep concern and sadness" among parents.

The petition claims the decision was made without meaningful consultation with affected families.

It says: "We understand the council is pursuing a major redevelopment of Vine Road Recreation Ground, as outlined in the Vine Road Management Plan 2024–2025.

"While we support improvements to community facilities, we strongly object to any plan that sacrifices educational provision and community heritage in the process."

It adds: "Children thrive at the pavilion and parents speak with overwhelming affection about the school's warm, caring ethos.

"It is a place where little ones run in with smiles, learn through play and discovery, and build lifelong confidence. Many families view it not just as a school, but as a second home."

The petition calls on the council to reverse its decision not to extend the nursery's lease past July 2026, guarantee any redevelopment plans involve preserving or relocating the nursery and properly consult with residents.

A planning application for the park's redevelopment is set to be submitted to the council later this year, which will go out to consultation with residents.

A Richmond Council spokesperson told the LDRS it acknowledged the petition.

The spokesperson said: "We understand this is an important place for many local families, and we recognise how difficult this news will be for those whose children attend the Vine Road Montessori School.

"While we know this may be disappointing, condition surveys have shown that the building has reached the end of its usable life.

"The nursery has been aware of the lease expiry and the wider masterplan proposals for some time.

"The council has kept the occupiers informed throughout, giving them time to consider their future options. We want to reassure residents that this change will not affect the council's ability to meet childcare sufficiency duties in the ward or across the wider borough."

The Montessori Pavilion School has been contacted for comment.

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