New secondary school plan on backburner as MP reacts to decision
Tom Collins, Labour MP for Worcester, has welcomed Worcestershire County Council's decision to step away from their controversial plans for a new school in Newtown Road, what he has called 'an inappropriate site in the city'.
He said: 'I'm very pleased the county council is finally stepping away from their plans for a new school. The proposed location is simply not appropriate for a new school. I would like to thank local people who have spoken up against this plan.
SHELVED: Plans for the new secondary school in Newtown Road, Worcester have been ditched as Worcester's MP shares his thoughts on the decision (Image: Worcestershire County Council) Mr Collins had previously called for a 'reset' after planning permission was granted for a new school in Worcester, despite the ongoing financial crisis at Worcestershire County Council.
He spoke out against the location of the proposed school, raising concerns over safety, accessibility and a lack of strategic thinking around the future of the neighbouring hospital site.
Mr Collins is now urging the county council to bring forward new plans that are grounded in local need and developed in partnership with the community.
He added: "Now it's important that the county council make good decisions about the site, and about their plans for building new schools.
"The council should now reach out to local partners, particularly including our local NHS trusts to make sensible future plans for the site."
Mr Collins said he was particularly highlighting the need for urgent investment in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.
"We also have a severe shortage of Special Schools in Worcestershire, which is contributing to our county's SEND crisis. The investment should be directed to a set of new special schools across our county to meet the needs of children close to where they live," he said.
We reported on Thursday how building the school at Newtown Road is the 'least likely option' to increase secondary school provision in the city.
Worcestershire County Council is instead set to increase capacity at schools including The Chase and Dyson Perrins, with some Worcester pupils facing a daily trip to Malvern.
The council is also looking into the feasibility of building a new school on the County Hall site.
At a cabinet meeting on Thursday (July 17), councillors were told that Worcester will need an additional 90 secondary school places by September 2026 and a further 120 by 2027.
According to forecasts, demand for school places will continue to exceed supply from 2029 onwards.
The previous Tory administration's solution was a new school in Newtown Road, which has already been given planning permission.
But costs have spiralled and are now so high the project 'jeopardises the affordability of the whole education capital programme,' the council says.
RECOMMENDED READING: Council to scrap plans for new Worcester secondary school
RECOMMENDED READING: Worcester's new school and hospital multi-storey latest
Dr Stephen Foster, cabinet member for education, said the council would need to borrow £33.6 million to pay for the £63.3m school.
'This is the least likely option to pursue,' he said, questioning the impact the project would have on the council's 'financial emergency'.
More likely is the permanent expansion of three city schools - Nunnery Wood, Bishop Perowne and Tudor Grange Academy - plus The Chase and Dyson Perrins in Malvern.
He said creating extra places at the five schools would cost £29.5m, of which £3.96m would need to be borrowed.
A third option is to explore the possibility of building a new school at County Hall, which Cllr Foster said would mean borrowing of at least £7m.
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