School row continues

8:02am Tuesday 22nd August 2006

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STOCKTON Heath Primary School sparked strong views at the borough council planning committee weeks before a vote on its future is even due.

The historic school has survived one plan to demolish and replace it after a massive campaign by parents and residents.

"To me, this is a sign that the executive board wish to get this through irrespective of what was decided."

Clr George Warburton

But the borough council's executive board has decided to have another go because it believes the current building is too run down.

Councillors on the planning committee, who will again make the decision, looked ahead to the vote at Wednesday night's meeting.

Clr George Warburton was angry the second plan had been put forward so soon.

"To me, this is a sign that the executive board wish to get this through irrespective of what was decided," said Clr Warburton, a Labour member for Penketh.

"And very, very quickly, there's a decision to overrule that decision, and to me, that's completely undemocratic."

Clr Warburton said if people wanted to demolish the school, they should visit Oxford and Cambridge Universities, see how old their buildings are and see what education they give'.

Clr Celia Jordan, the committee chairman, said a site visit should be organised ahead of the vote to save delaying the decision.

Members also asked if they would be able to recommend refurbishing the school rather than demolishing and rebuilding it, and were advised that was not in their power.