SOUTH Norwood police station is to be turned into a new free primary school.
The police station has been disused since 2012 and was put up for sale in 2013.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson today announced plans to turn six disused police stations across the capital into free schools.
A spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime confirmed the building had now been sold and an announcement would be made shortly.
The site was put up for sale last June after the Metropolitan Police announced changes to policing across London.
A spokesman for the Met said at the time the building was no longer required and the sale would help to save on running costs.
Croydon North MP Steve Reed last year called for a halt in the sale of the police station to help ease Croydon's school places crisis.
The Mayor said after the announcement: "I am determined to use all the resources available to me to enable more schools to be built across the capital.
"Free schools are now firmly established as part of the mix for the provision of urgently needed places and we're making good progress, matching 11 under-used public sites with groups wanting to set up new schools.
"7,300 more places have now been secured for young Londoners, the majority at free schools set up in response to local demand.
"This is all part of my goal to ensure London schoolchildren have the best possible education regardless of their background and that we are equipping youngsters in our growing city to compete at a global level."
Croydon North MP Steve Reed last year called for a halt in the sale of the police station to help ease Croydon's school places crisis.
He said: "I think it's good that the mayor is considering this. To sell their public land for housing seemed ridiculous when there is a huge school places crisis.
"It is right to be looking at using sites like this and it is important the community supports this."
Wayne Lawlor, councillor for South Norwood, said he was happy to hear the building would no longer be derelict but called for extensive consultation with the community on the proposal.
He added: "I am sure local parents will be happy but I'm not sure local residents will be so sure.
"There needs to be some form of consultation before it is finalised.
"I'm not sure it is the perfect location and there will be some concerns with traffic although we do have school in similar locations already."
