New primary school campaign backed by MPs
LDRSA campaign for a new primary school which has amassed more than 1,000 signatures on a petition has been backed by MPs.
Plans for St Joseph's Primary School in Wynyard have been around since 2016 and the school has been described by petitioners as "vital to meeting both current and future demand".
But it has recently been placed on a list of projects the government is "minded to cancel", with the appeal against ditching the plans facing a 30 January deadline.
The public petition launched by the parish council has now passed 1,000 signatures, with Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash and Stockton North MP Chris McDonald both supporting the bid and attending the latest community meeting.
There, families described how the current primary school in Wynyard is oversubscribed with some children having to travel out of the area as a result, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
'Not a luxury'
Labour MP Brash said: "Wynyard is a growing community and families are right to expect the basics to keep pace."
He said residents have done their part, "now decision makers need to listen and deliver".
Kane Forrester, from Wynyard Parish Council, said of the threat of cancellation: "If this decision is allowed to stand, we will be telling families in Wynyard that there can be thousands of new houses but not the school places their children need and were promised."
He said it would mean more young children are being transported miles out of the village every morning with longer days, friendships segregated by geography and parents forced to juggle work and busy school runs.
Labour's McDonald said: "A second primary school is not a luxury.
"It is essential for Wynyard's present and future and I will keep pushing until the right decision is made."
