Fears over loss of playing field

Mar 31 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

GOVERNORS at a Northumberland school are protesting to education chiefs after learning development at a neighbouring school could rob their children of valued play facilities.

St Andrew’s Roman Catholic First School in Blyth is objecting to the proposed demolition and rebuilding of nearby Malvins Close First School under the county council’s massive Putting the Learner First education reforms.

The governors claim the expansion of Malvins Close First to become a two-storey, 420-pupil primary school will mean St Andrew’s First losing its playing field, wildlife garden, tyre park and adventure trail.

Governors at St Andrew’s say the problem lies with plans for a new sports pitch for the redeveloped school, and are urging parents to write to County Hall with objections.

Local MP Ronnie Campbell has also been contacted and has advised objectors to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman about the alleged lack of consultation over the school redevelopment proposals.

Education officials at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle are also in discussions with county council officers about the plans. The schools in question are near neighbours in Albion Way, Blyth.

Yesterday Peter Lovatt, chairman of the governors at St Andrew’s, said: “If you look at the plans for Malvins Close First School there is a new football pitch which would encroach on our playing facilities. We have objected to the county council about loss of amenity and over-development of the site.

“We have also asked the county council to arrange a site visit before they make any decision on the planning application. We have our own plans to expand our school and this proposal could have a big impact on us.” A letter to parents from governors, staff and children at St Andrew’s says the proposal to rebuild the neighbouring school would take away all of their playing field, including the wildlife garden, tyre park and adventure trail which have been paid for by the RC school.

It says: “It will seriously disadvantage our children, damage their equality of opportunity and prevent us developing sport and fitness in line with Government and Sport England policy.

“We are also concerned at the lack of transparency or consultation with the diocese or St Andrew’s.”

A county council spokeswoman said an application had been submitted for the new school. “The proposed new build will be within the current boundaries of Malvins Close First School,” she said.

“We do not believe that this new build will impact on the current St Andrew’s First School site. If permission is granted the county council will work with St Andrews’s First during the construction phase to try and keep any disruption to a minimum.”