News
Darlaston Academy land grab scheme thrown out
Plans to allow the controversial Grace Academy in Darlaston to swallow up half of a local park have been dumped by a Walsall Council planning committee.
The proposal, tabled on behalf of Seymour Harris Architecture, involved the building of a fence to close off public access to 52 per cent of George Rose Park. The report, presented to Councillors on the Development Control Committee, stated that the land was needed for playing fields for the new Grace Academy. Campaigners opposed to the loss of a community green space feared the “change of use” application would pave the way for building development in the future. The Academy has outlined ambitious expansion plans since it took over the former Darlaston Community Science College 2 months ago. It has been suggested that the plan is to build a new school in the park and then demolish the old school and use that space for playing fields.
The report states: “Public reaction to this application has also attracted comments about the wider redevelopment scheme, including possible new access points. That is not part of this application, and these comments need to be considered separately, in relation to any redevelopment application that may come forward.”
It goes on to say: “George Rose Park is assessed as High Value but Low Quality and therefore the Council has a commitment to raising the quality of the park where possible and protecting the site through the planning process.”
Apart from the worries raised by local residents, the Environment Agency and the Inland Waterways Association have objected to the scheme and British Waterways, Natural England and the council`s Pollution Control department have concerns regarding the environment. Labour MP for Walsall South, Bruce George, also raised objections to the plan. Speaking before the meeting, he said: “This is the only major public space in this locality and to take it away from the local community is an absolute disgrace.”
Following the rejection of the planning application, Leader of the Council and Vice Chair of the Development Control Committee, Mike Bird, said: “This is a very sad day for Darlaston. This will allow the people who are not for the Academy to get their way. In my view the school is at risk of not being expanded. This has wider implications for the council.”
The decision to reject the proposal is unusual as it had the backing of senior planning officers and the Development Control Committee, made up of 20 Councillors, has a Conservative majority of four.
The future of the Grace Academy, run by evangelical millionaire Robert Edminston, is now in doubt and questions are being asked as to why the need for extra land was not included in the consultation process leading to the closure of the former Darlaston Community Science College. Some campaigners suspect that the land grab was part of a secret deal between the council and the controversial evangelical Christian. Public opposition to the Academy was ignored as the Council and Serco, the private firm that runs education in Walsall, rushed through the deal to take Darlaston Community Science College out of Local Authority control and place it in the hands of Mr Edminston.