Less than the best for schoolchildren in Fife

Madam, – Fife Council is giving in to the lead developer, Persimmon Homes, on the question of Cupar North.

I have been trying to find out why the council did a complete about turn regarding the educational provision which will be needed if the huge housing scheme goes ahead.

Firstly the council stated that Cupar schools are full and a new primary school would be needed at the start of the building.

Then, without reference to the community, they stated that the opposite is the case.

They are currently planning to increase the classroom provision at Castlehill School and erect huts to take infants.

In the statement they say that they are prepared to take the risk that there may not be classroom places for some children.

They do not say how this fits with the detrimental effect bussing children has, or their own policy of encouraging children to walk to school.

I have obtained the minutes of the meeting that decided on the back track.

In this it was agreed that the best option was clearly that a new school should be built at the start of the development.

However, they pointed out that Persimmon Homes refused to fund this option and they would have to find some other plan acceptable to the developer.

There was no reflection that Persimmon Homes made a billion pounds profit last year.

In other words Fife Council is prepared to offer Cupar schoolchildren less than the best in order that developers can make even more profit.

They should be ashamed of themselves. Ceri Williams. March Toll Cottage, Carslogie Road, Cupar.