Council leader sets out benefits of £3m school

But in Sadberge furious villagers on Monday accused the council of holding a gun to their head over plans to close their school.

At Tuesday's meeting of the council cabinet, Labour leader Coun John Williams moved approval in principle the closure of Sadberge and Middleton St George Schools to make way for a new primary school in Middleton St George serving both areas. Hailing the new school as more good news, he then criticised recent Press stories for only highlighting negative aspects of the plan.

Last week a row broke out over the timing of the council announcement when a Press release was delivered to local media in advance of governors, staff or parents being made aware of potential school closures.

Speaking to the cabinet, Coun Williams said: "There is an increasing demand for places at Middleton St George. This paper proposes the closure of Sadberge and the re-provision of a voluntary aided school at Middleton St George.

"The people of Sadberge are very disappointed that potentially they are losing the focal point of their community and I understand that, but the simple fact is that Sadberge school is becoming less and less sustainable and smaller, and has lost the critical mass to survive.

"We have an extending community at Middleton St George and a school that is under extreme pressure.

"The brand new school will serve Sadberge too. It is not a million miles from Sadberge to Middleton St George, we are only talking about two miles down the road.

"The new school will also have a nursery unit and presently there is no such facility at either of the two schools."

The recommendations to provide a primary school for both areas and approval in principle to close Sadberge CE Primary and Middleton St George Primary, was agreed.

Sadberge governors meet on Tuesday to decide whether they support the bid.

See page 8 for a report on Monday's public meeting at Sadberge.

Leading article: page 22