Plans for a £2.9m school to replace Alderman Leach Primary School have caused a stir among, Darlington parents and residents. After last night's public meeting, Stuart Mackintosh reports on the debate

THE dispute over the future of Alderman Leach Primary School was ignited earlier this year when plans were announced for a new school.

Darlington Borough Council officials say the multi-million pound scheme they have drawn up is the only way forward for the school in the 21st Century.

Despite protests of some parents and residents about the relocation of the school to the West Park development at Faverdale, the scheme looks likely to go ahead.

The primary motive for the development is said to be rapidly decline in pupil numbers at the school.

Although its reputation for teaching has never been in question, education officials at the council say the deteriorating building is a negative factor for many parents when choosing a school. Pupil numbers have fallen from 488 in 1997 to 387 this year. There were 21 admissions this year to 75 places and there is an overall pupil shortfall of 107.

The figures are in stark contrast to nearby Reid Street, Mount Pleasant and Cockerton primary schools, which had more applications than there were places available last year.

A council spokesman said: "We stress that we are doing this for all the right reasons.

"The fact is that parents are voting with their feet not to send their children to that school. If we were to leave things as they are, there would be no school in the near future anyway."

The proposals have angered members of Cockerton Area Action Group.

Parent Caroline Houghey said: "There is going to be a new estate of around 750 houses over the next few years at West Park and they can't all be for elderly people or people with no children. We think we should have this school regenerated because it is already on a good site.

"There are also going to be a lot of children, not accompanied by adults, walking up a busy road with no adequate safety measures to the new school."

The council has pledged to work with parents on every aspect of the move