Robert Marshall-Andrews

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A victory for Greenspace - but at what cost?

The planning application for a construction of a Primary School on the Borstal & Shorts Recreation Grounds was considered, last night, by Medway Council’s Development Control Committee.

Bob Marshall-Andrews commented, “I am happy to report that the application was refused, which I am sure will be most welcomed by local residents.  Borstal & Shorts Recreation Grounds are a much valued open space and vital green lung for Borstal and its residents.

“I am left bemused by the whole long drawn out process of the proposed school.  It started with a flawed consultation, by the Council, on the need for and the location of a new Borstal Primary School.  Despite reasoned opposition, by local residents and others, to the final proposal the council’s Conservative Cabinet agreed to push forward with the development of new school.  To date a considerable about of public money has been spent on the creation of the new school.  Last night Conservative councillors, including one Cabinet member who originally promoted the development, voted to refuse the construction of the school.

“So what now?  The Pilgrim School opened it doors earlier this month and for the time being will have to operate out of the school buildings of the two former constituent schools.  This clearly is not ideal.  The sense of drift by the council to finding a solution to a problem of it own creation may knock on to the delivery of education to the school’s pupils.  I suspect there will a further consultation on the future of primary school education in the Borstal area.  It is fair to say that we have not heard the last of this matter.”