Read the new proposals that went before cabinet on 17th March
Click here for a site map of the new proposals.
The 2007 consultation has ended. The results of the consultation were put to cabinet on 16th April. Cabinet have decide to progress their scheme for a new school on the Laurels site. There will be a further report by the end of 2007. They propose to reduce the intake of Park Lane school from 72 to 60 from September 2008. For further information look at the Reading Borough Council website.
Tilehurst Globe say that on balance the current proposals are considerably better that the original ones. We get a better library, there is no net loss of Blagrave Recreation Ground. And as a result of this last consultation, Reading Borough Council are giving serious consideration to retaining the landmark Victorian facade of the Park Lane School building. They are also reconsidering the use of Downing Road Field.
Click here for more information about the background to this project.
There was just one public meeting about these new proposals - 31st January 2007 - at the Park Lane Junior School 7.00 to 9.00 pm.
Many local people objected to the methods used in the consultation process. They felt that the consultation was weighted in favour of the people with close links to Park Lane School (parents, teachers etc.). The objections were collected and sent to the council.
Tilehurst Globe was concerned that people in Tilehurst are made aware of all the issues relating to this scheme. It is not just about Blagrave Rec! There is a need to know what we are actually getting in this new proposal.
However, there remain a lot of uncertainties about the new proposals. Many of the concerns raised in the previous consultation are still there.
One of the striking issues is that the new proposals show the new school's footprint: it would seem that the new school would fit on to the Downing Road Field. Local people want a full investigation and study conducted to establish whether the new school would actually fit on Downing Road Field. And if so, why were local people never given the choice about which site is the best?
On the left is the footprint of the new school in the consultation documents. The picture on the right shows that the new school would fit on to the Downing Road Field. So why has there been no feasibility study. There are compelling arguments for siting the new school on the Downing Road Field.
Friends of Blagrave Rec have also sought answers to issues raised. Look on their web site www.reading2020.org.uk/foblagrave and then Consultation 2007 Issues to see the important answers from RBC including the ambiguous answer about the possibility of using Downing Road Field for the new school.
Members of Tilehurst Globe have sought clarification on a number of issues raised by the consultation documents. We have received clear answers from RBC. Subsequently further issues were raised - these too have been answered.
For further information about Tilehurst Globe contact Tilehurst Globe
Email TilehurstGlobe@hotmail.com