‘THIS NEEDS KNOCKING DOWN’
Fears that child may die at derelict school
FAMILIES are calling for the demolition of an abandoned former school – after they stopped flats being built there.
Stoke-on-trent City Council had consulted neighbours over plans for a housing development on the site of the former Marychurch Primary School in Bucknall.
But after they raised concerns over traffic problems in neighbouring Piggott Grove, the council scrapped the idea.
It comes as children are regularly trespassing on the land.
Jim Evans, whose home overlooks the site, said: “It’s only going to be a matter of time before the council is dealing with the fatality of a kid who has fallen through the roof, or is in there and can’t get out because there’s a fire.”
The 49-year-old engineer added: “We’re losing money on our houses. There are two people who have had to drop their houses by £10,000 to sell because of the eyesore.
“It needs knocking down and something doing with it.”
Kitchen assistant Rachel Deaville says she does not mind houses being built there.
The 39-year-old said: “Something needs doing with it because you’re getting kids on there trashing it and climbing all over my wall. The main thing was flats – people didn’t want flats.”
Neighbour Lorenzo Errico, aged 31, added: “I would not recommend more houses because of the traffic.”
In a letter to residents, ward councillor Heather Blurton said: “While we all want to see something happen to this derelict site, we all agree that the current plans are not what we, as the community, want.
“After holding a number of meetings at the council on the
community’s behalf, I am delighted to confirm that these plans have been dropped.
“It is clear that the community would favour a development of the site which is sympathetic to our local area.
“I am encouraging the council to examine all consultation responses carefully before making any future plans for this site.”