High School Anger as councillor appeals judicial review decision
AHIGH Court judge’s decision to throw out a legal challenge against planning permission to build a new £30million secondary school in Cheltenham is being appealed.
Leckhampton parish councillor Margaret White has applied to overturn the judge’s verdict which found in favour of Gloucestershire County Council last month about aspects of the new school being built.
The hearing is scheduled to take place on December 15.
Ms White lodged the judicial review earlier this year to add tree screening to preserve the views of the Cotswold AONB, move the all-weather astropitch to a new position and stop the removal of a public footpath.
His Honour Judge Jarman QC refused her application, saying it was up to the county council to decide what should change rather than the court.
Work began on the new school, called The High School Leckhampton, in September and the deadline for applications for pupil places was last October 31.
The authority said it will “robustly” defend the new school, and that it has “every confidence” the appeal won’t be approved.
The county council says the school is needed to solve the problem of a lack of secondary school places in the town, which received planning consent in May.
The 900-pupil school will be built on the countryside between Farm Lane and Kidnappers Lane, off the A46 Shurdington Road ready for September 2022.
Councillor Patrick Molyneux, cabinet member for schools, said: “This is a disgrace. These proceedings show no concern at all for the young people of Cheltenham or their families.
“I can assure people in Leckhampton the county council will robustly defend our £30m carbon-neutral school. We have every confidence this will be thrown out.”
Liberal Democrat county councillor for Leckhampton and Warden Hill Iain Dobie said: “After successfully lobbying Gloucestershire County Council for a new secondary school in Leckhampton, it is appalling that this investment has once again been put at risk due to another judicial review request.
“Residents will be furious at this renewed attempt by the same parish councillor, and I’m quite certain it will be thrown out for a second time by the High Court.
“It is time these baseless attacks ceased so that everyone can look forward to the delivery of this exciting new community school for the benefit of Leckhampton and its young people.”
Cheltenham’s MP Alex Chalk said: “The new £30m Leckhampton school will be a fantastic resource for parents and students.
“I share their disappointment today at this news, and trust that this issue will be promptly resolved.”
Councillor White has approached for comment. been