School expansion plans under threat
A SCHOOL for children with special needs could lose some of its land for housing, despite its plans to expand. Five Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, Loose, caters for children and young people with profound learning difficul- ties.
KCC education officer David Adams has said the aim is for Five Acre Wood to increase to 260 places. KCC, which owns the freehold of the site, is un- able to sell off land, but is talk- ing to the Future Schools Trust, which owns the neighbouring New Line Learning Academy, about leasing the site. Thereafter, KCC and Future Schools could agree for land to be put forward for housing de- velopment, with both parties taking a share of the proceeds. KCC Cllr Brian Clark said,
“Five AcreWood School will be left on a site proposed for major housing development, with no room to expand as it needs”. There was a public consulta-
tion in 2007, but thiswas prior to residential development plans. Boughton Lane is declared “at capacity” by KCC Highways de- partment and Cllr Clarke said: “KCC and Future Schools Trust may be happy to cash in at this site today, but the other site oc- cupants and residents will cer- tainly feel the pain tomorrow.”
The lease should be signed by
the end of this month, but Cllr Clarke believes the change in cir- cumstances and time lapse since the consultation means it should be reviewed in its entirety. But Cllr Gary Cooke, KCC’s cabinet member for corporate and democratic services, said: “The amount of land to be trans- ferred to Future Schools Trust is governed by statute and subject to a legal agreement dating back to 2007. “I am advised that KCC is not
able to withhold its consent to the lease, and were it to do so, the Secretary of State would
Continued from page one through the whole thing.” Kelly, a freelance photographer,
said sincehaving thevest, Leiahas never been healthier and her spe- cialists are pleased with her progress. “She has been clear of the coughs that plagued her, which meant we were able to go on our first holiday, to Sharm el Sheikh.” Fundraising and donations, in- cluding £2,500 from The Kent Community Foundation, and from our readers as well as those fol- lowing the story on Facebook have taken Leia’s fund to over £6,500. Kellyadded: “Wehadmanymany donations after Leia’s story was
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order the transfer of the site in line with legislation.” Cllr Cooke, who is a governor
at New Line Learning Academy, the Cornwallis Academy and the Tiger Primary Free School, said: “We do not as a matter of policy transfer any more land to schools becoming academies, than we are required to. “No decisions have been
taken to dispose of any parts of the academy site, although I am aware there have been some dis- cussionswith a developer in re- spect of the playing fields. “Under the terms of the lease theAcademy Trust is not able to
published and I would just like to thank every- one who has supported us. We have been over- whelmed by the people whowanted to help.” She gave special
praise to former Chelsea, Millwall and England footballer Dennis Wise. She said: “Wewere over- whelmed by the offer from his community fund, topayoutright for themachine. Not only do we now have Leia’s vest, we also have a fund for any other medicalequipment Leiamay need. “The vest will help keep her as wellaspossible, but it’snotacure.”
dispose of any land without the consent of the freeholder, KCC.” If KCC decided to dispose of
any of the land, development proposalswould go before plan- ners, said Cllr Cooke. He added: “As part of our Special School Review we are committed to addressing both the building suitability issues at Five Acre Wood, as well as its potential expansion. “Work is underway to ensure
the future viability of the school. We will continue to keep the school fully up to date with developments related to site management issues.”
Help for Leia overwhelming, says mother
Youcankeepupwith Leia’s story
on Facebook. Donations can be sent to
kelly3611@live.co.uk via Paypal or by cheque to 9 Morton Way, Tovil, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6ZG
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