People power stops new children’s centre (From Echo)
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Essex County Council children's centre plan halted
8:30am Friday 11th December 2009 in News By Michelle Archard
A CHILDREN’S centre will not now be built on the site of a Rayleigh school due to huge public opposition About 300 people signed a petition against the centre, which would have built at Down Hall Primary School.
More than 100 people attended a public meeting about the proposal, but now Essex County Council, the applicant, has said it will not proceed with the centre on the school site.
Parent Nicola Davis, 35, of Paignton Close, Rayleigh, said residents and parents would be very pleased, as they were concerned about traffic congestion, parking and disruption to the school.
She said: “That’s the right decision to make.
“We do have services like this already in Rayleigh and while more are always welcome, the school was not the right place for it.
“We were also worried the school would have been open and that didn’t make us feel safe for our children.
“It’s good people’s opinions have been taken on board and the community has been listened to.”
Another parent, Tony Dean, 47, of Temple Way, Rayleigh, added: “This is marvellous news.
“This would have been quite dangerous, as the centre would only have had four parking spaces. Nobody wanted this here. I hope they find a more suitable venue for it.”
The proposal had secured support from the school governing body, but now the county council must find alternative premises for the children’s centre.
Peter Martin, the councillor who took the decision, said: “Although this is a disappointing outcome, it is appropriate given the degree of local opposition.”
Stephen Castle, county councillor responsible for education, and representative for Rayleigh North, which includes Down Hall ward, chaired the heated consultation meeting last week.
He said: “This makes it clear the county council does listen to the views of local people in making these decisions.”
Lou Reck, headteacher of Down Hall, said it was now urgent for the county council to find alternative ways to provide children’s centre services for the local area.
Comments(3)
nicky960
says...
3:29pm Tue 15 Dec 09
Downhall Parent
says...
2:52pm Wed 16 Dec 09
"The Grange" (community hall) which is sure starts next option which is in a much more needed area, with parking, it's on a main road and with a bus stop outside and this WILL help the most at need families and we all hope that this is where it is placed. We already have all these facilities one mile away in Rayleigh High Street and they also have plans on opening a sure start centre next year at Grove School in Rayleigh less than three miles away.
I have one young children and another at Downhall School like many parents, and we are all very glad on Essex County Council decision not to locate it at Downhall School.
procsense2010 says...
9:05pm Fri 11 Dec 09