We must let the legal argument run its course
✒ I UNDERSTAND there is a motivated group of parents and children who are concerned about a potential delay to the construction of a new secondary school in Leckhampton, due to the possibility of a Judicial Review of various aspects of the plans.
If a JR were to go ahead, it would be on the basis of legitimate legal arguments and I would hope that the parents and children who are upset, might acknowledge that such legal issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
The JR should be allowed to run its course and if it goes ahead it will be because there is some merit to the arguments being put forward. If it does not go ahead because the legal arguments do not stand up, then the school plans will go ahead uninterrupted.
However, if the JR is withdrawn by the person bringing the action before there has been an opportunity to test the legal issues, I sincerely hope it is not due to intimidation and harassment, including the current unwarranted accusations of selfishness and unverified allegations of lack of support.
As and when the school is built, the wish for a “local school 4 local children” will have been fulfilled for those in the Leckhampton area, and it will be a great benefit to them.
However, on the school planning application website there is data provided by the Office for National Statistics and the Government which shows that a majority of young people attending the 900-pupil school will not be so local.
As a spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said “this much needed new school will provide modern, high quality, teaching facilities, to support 900 children from Cheltenham and the surrounding area”.
Whilst the Leckhampton pupils will be thrilled with the new school, as their request to “please let us walk to school” will have been satisfied, those being bussed and driven from the rest of “Cheltenham and the surrounding area” may not be quite so delighted.
It is incongruous that the apparently pressing need for a local school for local children will not meet any similar pressing need for the majority of its pupils.