A CLAIM by a developer that a Halstead school could close if more homes are not built has been dismissed.

Last week, the Gazette revealed Gladman Developments wanted to build 230 homes off Sudbury Road.

In a consultation leaflet, the developer claims a high number of pupils are driven to school from outside the catchment area and if more homes aren’t built, a school could close.

However, the town’s three primary schools are either at or near full capacity, while land has been set aside for a fourth school off Ravens Avenue.

Halstead Town Council member Jackie Pell said: “I think it actually goes the other way, lots of people leave Halstead to take their children to schools outside the town.

“Lots of parents are travelling out of the town to villages like Gosfield, Pebmarsh and Maplestead.

“Councillor Gooding from Essex County Council visited us last year, and made it clear that we are okay in terms of school places.

“We have never had any talk of losing a school, we have actually spoken about gaining a school, and the land has been set aside.

“Gladman are likely to say anything they can to tick boxes.”

Jon Smith, headteacher at Holy Trinity Primary School, said more school places were in the pipeline for Halstead.

He said: “We are going through a phase at the moment, where quite a few of our students do come from surrounding villages, but 10 years ago it was the other way and lots children from Halstead were going to the villages for school places.

“We have been led to believe for a number of years that expansion is likely, whether that be a new school or expanding one already here.

“Plans were actually drawn up for Holy Trinity to expand a while ago, but then that seemingly disappeared.

“For example, last year we had 60 applications for 30 places, so unfortunately we do have to say no to some parents.

“If you look at our capacity, we are full and over capacity.

“I can’t speak for other schools, but I imagine they are in similar situations and if you look at our current situation, we have no places whatsoever.

“When you look at the number of developments across the town, there will be a lot of new school-aged children and we are not in a position to accommodate all of those at the moment.”

Mrs Pell also called on residents to band together if they want to fight the proposal, as well as reminding residents that objections must be made on planning grounds, rather than a simple ‘I don’t like it’.

She added: “I would also suggest that they find a planning lawyer, costs may be high but between a group it comes down.

“If people want to oppose they need to be organised, and objections need to be on proper planning grounds.

“If residents want to have an effect, saying you don’t want a building site on your doorstep isn’t enough.”

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