A BID to build a Catholic secondary school in the borough has been submitted to the government by the Archdiocese of Westminster and education chiefs.

A successful bid would put an end to the borough's status as the only one in London without a Catholic secondary school and also provide a local secondary school for more than 1,700 Catholic primary school pupils in the borough.

But the Liberal Democrats say the proposals are flawed. Whilst in favour of a new Catholic secondary school, they say the preferred site, locally known as the Lensbury Sports Ground, is too controversial and too far away from the centre of the borough.

Currently owned by St Mary's College, the space between Broom Road and Kingston Road opposite Teddington Studios, is classified as Metropolitan Open Land and, the Lib Dems point out, is valued green space along a busy road.

Lib Dem spokesperson for education, Cllr Malcolm Eady, said: "It will be very hard for the Catholic church to get planning permission for the site, and it is a great pity, that instead of embarking on a controversial proposal, they do not put their energy, time and money into finding a site closer to the centre of the borough, preferably on a brown field site.

"If this search were successful, then the bid would have my full support."

The council were contacted, but would not confirm or deny the Teddington spot as the secured site for the school. A council spokesperson said: "The question of the siting of the proposed school is the subject of consultation with the Archdiocese."

There is overwhelming demand for a Catholic secondary school in the borough, highlighted by a recent survey of parents whose children attend Catholic primary schools.

Richmond's cabinet member for schools, Cllr Geoffrey Samuel, said: "This is a win-win-win situation.

"A Catholic secondary school would be linked to a system with St Mary's College, which has a marvellous department for training teachers. There is only one other situation like this in the country."

Fitting a Catholic secondary school into that equation, he said, will create another dimension unique to education in Richmond upon Thames.

According to the council only ten per cent of Year 6 pupils in the borough's Catholic primary schools transfer to secondary schools in Richmond upon Thames.