Collis Protests Escalate

12.11.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2003

Residents and parents opposing the Tory Council's plans to build housing and remove protection from one third of the playing fields at Collis Primary School in Teddington have formed an action group and collected nearly 1,800 signatures in just 4 days, for a petition which was handed in at Tuesday's Council meeting (8/4/03).

Cllr James Mumford, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Teddington and a Collis School Governor, commented: 'This petition and the protest at the Council meeting show the strength of feeling against the Council's attempt to sneak through these drastic changes with minimal consultation.

While there is strong support in the community for expanding the school to take 200 extra children and replace temporary classrooms with new permanent buildings, no-one understands how a much larger school can cope with the loss of one third of its playing fields (which also serve the neighbouring Sacred Heart school). Where are children supposed to play?

'Tory leader Cllr Tony Arbour has ignored his own constituents and provided no plausible explanation for the need for a housing development on the site, which would separate the school from its swimmimg pool and nature trail - and the failure of the Council's bid for £2 million to rebuild the school has caused concern that the 10 units of housing currently proposed may be the thin end of the wedge, with so much land made available for building by these proposals.

I will continue to work with residents to stop these unacceptable housing plans and ensure that all land not needed for school buildings stays protected.

'The Tories are embarking on a selling spree throughout the Borough, decimating open spaces while at the same time piling up the proceeds of the highest ever Council Tax rise into reserves as a cynical ploy to buy off the electorate prior to the next local elections.

Liberal Democrats would use this money responsibly for school projects like Collis expansion and protect our open spaces, opposing the Tories' environmental vandalism.'

For further information contact James Mumford - 07814 010877