»Opposition to last-minute legal challenge
CAMPAIGNERS calling for a new secondary school in Cheltenham have described a proposed last-minute legal challenge “staggering” and warned that any delay could have a “detrimental effect” on children’s futures.
Last week it was reported resident Margaret White had begun a bid for a judicial review against a decision to build The High School Leckhampton on green fields near her home, raising environmental and traffic concerns.
But supporters of the new 900-pupil school have spoken out with “upset and outrage” that an application to start the legal process has been sent “at the eleventh hour”.
A mother of two, Anna O’connor, said it was “causing so much stress, anxiety and desperation” among families, adding that there was “no alternative, no Plan B”.
Last week Leckhampton and Warden Hill Parish Council unanimously agreed to oppose the judicial review and ask for the bid to be withdrawn.
Mrs White had raised concerns about the building of the 900-pupil capacity school on the countryside between Farm Lane and Kidnappers Lane, as well as fears about increased traffic on and around the A46 Shurdington Road.
Gloucestershire County Council’s planning committee granted planning permission for the new £30 million school earlier this year.
An online petition has also been launched in opposition to the judicial review, which had reached 415 signatures by Monday afternoon.
Families and the town’s MP Alex Chalk gathered at Burrows Field to show support for the new secondary school last week, displaying banners and placards.
It is being “sponsored” and developed by Balcarras School and is due to open in September 2021.
Mrs O’connor said: “It is staggering that one person in our community can use the planning process to bring an action at this very late stage which could have such a detrimental effect for the future of our whole community’s children, the education of hundreds in Leckhampton and Warden Hill.
“This is causing so much stress, anxiety and desperation among families who have already been through so much in the last six months.
“We have worked so hard to get this school approved. It will be at the heart of our community and an asset to it.
“The support for this school is huge. There is no alternative, no Plan B, no contingency, and it is totally undemocratic if one person is allowed to stand in the way of the educational needs of so many by raising a few technicalities.”
In a statement issued last week, the county council said any delay would be “really disappointing”. It said: “This much needed new school will provide modern, high quality, teaching facilities, to support 900 children from Cheltenham and the surrounding area.
“Any delay to that would be really disappointing. We have followed all appropriate procedures and will defend our position if necessary.”
This is causing so much stress, anxiety and desperation among families who have already been through so much in the last six months Anna O’connor