Burden on our school

11:49am Thursday 21st September 2006

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FROM the very start of the controversial council decision to demolish Stockton Heath Primary School and replace it with a modern building, the reasons put forward by WBC and the LEA have been crumbling building', in dire need of repair', not fit for purpose', etc, all of which have been disproved by the Action Group.

It is apparent from information now emerging that the real reason for a new school is the future developments on the north side of the Manchester Ship canal including Walton Lock, the Cement Works and the Clock Tower sites.

These will produce more than 400 homes.

The nearest primary school is Stockton Heath.

With regard to the 275 homes at Walton Lock, (blocks ranging from two to seven-storeys), part of Peel Holdings design statement says: it will boost the viability of primary schools as the indigenous existing population ages'.

Also, the site is particularly well placed to local services and in particular a primary school'.

It then quotes the nearest primary school being Stockton Heath.

Why didn't our town officials state from the outset why they wanted to demolish a fine, locally listed building standing on a Roman site and destroy our heritage?

They have stated that the new build will provide better education for the children of Stockton Heath.

They should have said that the new build was to accommodate children from the future over-development.

Everyone has been conned on both sides of the debate, those wanting a refurbishment of the school and those wanting the new build.

Officials are not only prepared to disregard the overwhelming opposition to the new build but introduce even more traffic to the already heavily congested village and place even greater burdens on the long standing limitations of the old swing bridges.

STOCKTON Heath Primary School Action Group