Published: 11/03/2010 16:00 -
Updated: 11/03/2010 11:24
COUNCIL bosses have come under fire over public consultation for proposals to relocate and enlarge a Stansted primary school.
The deadline is today, Friday March 12, for people to make their views known about moving St Mary’s CE Foundation Primary from St John’s Road and building a new and bigger school away from the village centre on the Foresthall Park development.
Stansted resident Janet Hollis said: “An extremely poorly publicised meeting was held on February 23 to present a consultation document.
“The architects who were present at the meeting had no drawings, plans, models or costing of the proposed new school.
“The proposal to relocate the school, by Essex County Council, is an exact repetition of their proposals for Stansted’s new health centre/surgery of which there is still no news, despite the apparent huge urgency for the facilities.”
She added that alternative proposals to keep the school on its present site had “not been fully investigated”.
Mrs Hollis said: “It is the children who are of paramount importance, supported by parents, teachers and governors. The majority of people who attended the meeting were against the county’s proposal to move the school.”
Yesterday, school head Christine Tonkins said that her prime concern was “the provision for the children of St Mary’s”.
“My hope is that the outcome of this consultation is that people will make their decision on whether we will offer an improved learning environment for our pupils,” she said.
“I just want people to think objectively about the children and address one issue at a time.”
She added that if the move did go ahead then concerns about access and the future of the present school site would need to be dealt with along with other concerns.
Tracey Harrison, chairman of governors at St Mary’s, said: “The governors are absolutely committed to securing a new school building for the pupils and staff of St Mary’s.
“The question is where that building will be, but we cannot and will not make a decision on that until after the public consultation.
“Then we will know the views of both our parents and the local community and have all the facts in place.”
An Essex County Council spokesman said consultation started on February 10 with documents sent to St Mary’s and Bentfield Primary, Stansted, for distribution to parents of children at the schools.
Copies were also sent to other primaries and pre-schools as well as libraries and parish councils in Uttlesford, and could be viewed on the county council website along with details of the meeting. The document and meeting were also advertised in the media.
“The detailed design stage of the new building would commence only if a final decision is taken to proceed with the proposal,” he said. At that time there would be further consultation and the chance to view and comment on designs.
Stansted resident Janet Hollis said: “An extremely poorly publicised meeting was held on February 23 to present a consultation document.
“The architects who were present at the meeting had no drawings, plans, models or costing of the proposed new school.
“The proposal to relocate the school, by Essex County Council, is an exact repetition of their proposals for Stansted’s new health centre/surgery of which there is still no news, despite the apparent huge urgency for the facilities.”
She added that alternative proposals to keep the school on its present site had “not been fully investigated”.
Mrs Hollis said: “It is the children who are of paramount importance, supported by parents, teachers and governors. The majority of people who attended the meeting were against the county’s proposal to move the school.”
Yesterday, school head Christine Tonkins said that her prime concern was “the provision for the children of St Mary’s”.
“My hope is that the outcome of this consultation is that people will make their decision on whether we will offer an improved learning environment for our pupils,” she said.
“I just want people to think objectively about the children and address one issue at a time.”
She added that if the move did go ahead then concerns about access and the future of the present school site would need to be dealt with along with other concerns.
Tracey Harrison, chairman of governors at St Mary’s, said: “The governors are absolutely committed to securing a new school building for the pupils and staff of St Mary’s.
“The question is where that building will be, but we cannot and will not make a decision on that until after the public consultation.
“Then we will know the views of both our parents and the local community and have all the facts in place.”
An Essex County Council spokesman said consultation started on February 10 with documents sent to St Mary’s and Bentfield Primary, Stansted, for distribution to parents of children at the schools.
Copies were also sent to other primaries and pre-schools as well as libraries and parish councils in Uttlesford, and could be viewed on the county council website along with details of the meeting. The document and meeting were also advertised in the media.
“The detailed design stage of the new building would commence only if a final decision is taken to proceed with the proposal,” he said. At that time there would be further consultation and the chance to view and comment on designs.
NEWS HEADLINES
NATIONAL NEWS
LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
News from Dunmow and Stansted and across Uttlesford including Stansted Airport.
