Site Latest - 11/07/07 - Stockton Heath Primary School - Archeological Dig - More Fantastic finds - see the well!
See all the reports so far and the videos
An extraordinary site and some extraordinary finds!
THANK YOU AGAIN - TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS! The fight still goes on! Updates very soon!
THIS SITE IS BEST VIEWED AT 1024 X 768 RESOLUTION see here
You will find everything that you need to know about what has happened since the ill fated public announcement was made in December 2004 to demolish our locally listed Community Primary School. We have made every document available in the process for you to read and study and will regularly update the site with the latest progress and news headlines, as they become available.
DISCLAIMER- WE MUST STATE THAT THIS WEBSITE IS NEITHER ENDORSED BY OR AFFILIATED TO STOCKTON HEATH COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Site Latest - 24/06/07 - Stockton Heath Primary School - Archeological Dig Open Day
Click Pic for larger image
An extraordinary site and some extraordinary finds!
The Saturday open day and the public were invited into see the dig at the school and they turned out in their hundreds, from far and wide.
Here are some pictures taken on the day which give some more answers and leave some more unanswered questions about the Roman Settlement and the old River Mersey.
Site Latest - 14/04/07 - Judicial Review News
As people are aware Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group with the help of SHARC have been attempting to find out whether a Judicial Review Challenge could be mounted against the planning decision to demolished Stockton Heath Primary School.
Group members Instructed DWF Solicitors in Manchester to look at a possible challenge to WBC. The Action Group also sought Barristers Counsel at Kings Chambers Manchester.
Instructions to counsel were prepared by Jo Hannah of DWF Solicitors
These instructions can be seen here – INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNSEL
SHPSAG members then had a conference with Counsel
The “Note on Conference with Counsel” can be seen here - Note on Conference with Counsel
So as can be seen from the note there was only 1 area for challenge
1. Failure to take into account the quality of the existing school.
Counsel considered that whilst the planning officer had set out why the school should be demolished he should have gone on to consider the building and to assess it in accordance with BH5.
Counsel referred to page 7 of the Planning Officer's report, at the second point where the officer comments on the need to balance local and national policies. The Planning Officer said the building is not listed but has not gone on to assess local significance. There could possibly be an argument that this is a failure to take on board a material consideration which could satisfy the first test to gain a judicial review of the decision i.e. that the decision to grant planning permission was unlawful. The second limb of the test however, would also need to be established. Would there have been a different outcome had this consideration been taken into account? Counsel went on to list the reasons why it may not be possible to say that a different outcome would have been reached.
(i) the policy was put before members;
(ii) members are local people and would have been expected to know the area and the building;
(iii) members had all other documents and were aware of the significance of the building.
On this basis Counsel considered that there was no more than a 50:50 chance of success in getting the planning permission quashed.
JH enquired whether committee members were misled into agreeing the demolition without taking into account the value of the building as the way the report was written it gave the impression that the local listing could be discounted as the school could be demolished without planning permission and the report contained the dubious assertion that the reasons for demolition would satisfy the test in PPG15 for the demolition of a listed building.
Counsel considered that this was the strongest point for a potential challenge as the report omitted to undertake the balancing exercise between the need to demolish the building and the quality of the building and its impact on the character of the surrounding area. However, she remained of the view that even though a court might consider this to be unlawful a court would be unlikely to quash the planning permission as it would consider it very unlikely that the members would have reached a different decision if the report had been properly balanced.
Further to the above
1. Counsel confirmed that she felt that there is only one point upon which proceedings could be issued. The failure to balance out the educational need for demolition against the quality of the existing school and its importance to the character of the area. However, there were two hurdles to get over before there was a chance of getting the planning permission quashed:
Hurdle 1: was the decision flawed by not carrying out a proper balancing up exercise?. Counsel explained that she felt that there was a strong chance that the Action group could get home on that point.
Hurdle 2: would the members have reached a different decision had that exercise been carried out? Counsel explained that she felt this hurdle would be much more difficult to overcome. Members have local knowledge and knowledge of the building and its importance to the community. They were also well aware of the objections to demolition. In these circumstances the court is unlikely to conclude that members would have reached a different decision, and therefore the court would be unlikely to exercise its discretion to quash the planning permission.
In conclusion
1. Even if the court quashed the permission, the Council could still reconsider the whole application i.e. re-determine the application a-fresh on the basis of a properly balanced report and again grant planning.
The Council could submit a new application and get it determined before the Judicial Review proceedings are concluded. It could then show the court that the review process is academic.
So we have a 50/50 CHANCE of overturning the Council’s decision, however we need at least £30,000 to take up the challenge as we do not qualify for Legal Aid and we do not have that amount of money.
We have gone as far as we are able to with this and now await the enquiry by the Ombudsman who has been passed all the relevant information.
The only other chance would be for a local person to come forward with funding for a Judicial Review Challenge.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people from the community who have provided funds and support for this challenge which costed over £3,000.
We thank the local businesses for their contributions, who continue to support SHARC in their campaign with Stockton Heath Issues
Site Latest - 13/04/07 - Further works pictures added
The works continue - Pictures page
Site Latest - 13/04/07 - SHARCS Website updated with May Election candidate and campaign
Site Latest - 09/04/07 - Culcheth School Design - The grass will be greener!
New build for Culcheth High will get Innovative design and environmental friendly school unlike our new build which has been cut to the bone!
The grass will be greener... Warrington Guardian
Site Latest - 06/04/07 - Violence blamed on poor school design - Daily Mail 06-04-07
Serious flaws in the design of modern school buildings are a major cause of fights and accidents among pupils, teachers claimed yesterday. See news report here - Daily Mail - 06-04-07
Site Latest - 4/04/07 - Half Term Preparation works start!
The Half Term works have started with the installation of the temporary mobile kitchens and new entrances. There was some disruption to traffic.
View of demolished wall on BRACKLEY STREET and new temporary kitchens
Bricked up Windows
See further pictures of works here
Site Latest - 28/03/07 - New School letter to parents/carers ref build works
The school has sent out letter which includes updated information of works for the new build. See letter here - School Letter - 28-03-07
Site Latest - 14/03/07 - School/WBC letters to parents/carers and residents
The school has sent out letter which includes a very brief shedule of works for the new build. It does say however that more detailed information will follow! WBC have also sent a similar letter
See letter here - School Letter - 14-03-07 and letter sent out from WBC on 13-03-06 - WBC Letter - 13-03-07
Site Latest - 09/03/07 - Updates for site ongoing!
We have updated the Planning Fiasco Part 2 to bring things up to date. Amendments include changes to February/March and December 2006 entries with additional Objection and Complaint letters.
Site Latest - 06/03/07 - Updates for site now ongoing! Sorry for Delay!
We have updated the Planning Fiasco Part 3 to start to bring things up to date. We apologise for the delay however we have been busy behind the scenes. More updates to follow over the next couple of days.
Site Latest - 03/03/07 - WBC respond to request for copy of notes made at the Development Control Meeting on 1st February 2007!
Warrington Borough Council supplied a copy of the notes recorded at the Development Control Meeting of 1st February 2007 - See notes here - WBC minutes!
Site Latest - 03/03/07 - Latest News page updated !
Site Latest - 21/02/07 - WBC respond to call in request from SHPSAG and other matters!
Warrington Borough Council have responded to the Scrutiny Call in request made by SHPSAG - See letter here - WBC Letter!
Site Latest - 02/02/07 - See the Victorian Society Letter (read out in Dev Cont Meeting) and Attachments (which were not read out in meeting) in full !
Victorian Society Letter - Victorian Society Letter to WBC!
Victorian Society Policy Statement about school buildings, which was not seen or heard at meeting - Victorian Society Policy Statement on School Buildings!
The above document makes interesting reading and you can see why it was not read out for your self. It supports the fact that a refurbished school can provide the same standard of education as a new build
Victorian Society & Dfes guide to WBC - Victorian Society and Dfes information document!
Site Latest - 01/02/07 - A SAD DAY for the children of Stockton Heath - The council let the community down in not sending the plans back to the drawing board to apply for new money!
Warrington Worldwide - School Demolition Plan gets the go-ahead!
Warrington Worldwide - School Demolition - A badly handled Plan!
Warrington Guardian - Exclusive - Village school to be Bulldozed
Site Latest - 31/01/07 - OH DEAR!!! - COUNCIL'S MAIN DEMOLITION REPORT IS FLAWED!
THE "PAUL BUTLER ASSOCIATES REPORT" BREACHES INSTITUTE of HISTORIC BUILDING
CONSERVATION – Code of Conduct!
Paul Butler, MA, MPhil, MRTPI, IHBC, IED Director of Paul Butler Associates
has a number of projects under his belt with regards to Re-use of buildings
and Heritage.
However this report is in direct breach of the IHBC - See "Paul Butler
Associates" Report here - "Paul Butler Associates" Report for Thursday 1st
February 2007
Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group has made an official complaint
to the IHBC - See complaint here! - SHPSAG - Paul Butler Complaint!
see IHBC Code of Conduct here - IHBC Code of Conduct
Update 02-02-07 Paul Butler attended the Development Control Committee meeting and spoke for the demolition!
Site Latest - 30/01/07 - WBC Release Planning Officer's Report for Demolition of School - Action Group Release it's RESPONSE!
See WBC's Case Officers Report here - Case Officers Report for Thursday 1st February 2007
Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group has prepared a "right to reply" document for all to see! - Case Officers Report SHPSAG Ver 1 for Thursday 1st February 2007
Site Latest - 26/01/07 - 
continue to back our cause! - SEE THE PRESS RELEASE HERE!
Site Latest - 26/01/07 - News Report "FIT FOR PURPOSE" Article - see here
Site Latest - 26/01/07 - BBC Article - Professor Stephen Heppell makes comment "The Shape of schools to come"
"Passing a large volume of children through a narrow opening like a corridor or stairwell is bound to create friction and problems, he says. All the major incidents of children being injured or stabbed in schools have occurred in corridors, he claims."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6276055.stm see article in word here
Site Latest - 26/01/07 - The groundbreaking schools design initiative - "School Works" website
Site Latest - 25/01/07 - NEW DISCUSSION FORUM ONLINE !- SEE THE FORUM PAGE! - Vote on the POLL!
Site Latest - 24/01/07 - SHARC ATTACK! - House of commons replies to School Questions! See SHARC PAGE
Site Latest - 24/01/07 - COUNTDOWN to D-DAY!
CONFIRMED TODAY - PLANNING MEETING WILL BE THE 1ST FEBRUARY 2007?
Warrington Borough Council have set the date of a SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMITTEE to approve or reject the controversial plans to demolish STOCKTON HEATH COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL - Planning application 2006/09551
The CONFIRMED date is THURSDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2007 - 6.30pm at Warrington Town Hall. The community has the right to make their feelings felt. ATTEND THE MEETING! See the Letter here - Dev Control Letter
Site Latest - 20/01/07 - RIBA JOURNAL REPORT JANUARY 2007 !
WILL OUR SCHOOL END UP LIKE THESE COMMENTS?
"Otherwise we shall continue to see badly designed, badly built new schools that will not stand the test of time"
Further comments
"Last year Cabe gave a very poor mark to the design quality of the latest wave of school buildings nationwide: it is understandably keen to raise standards. Ellis-Miller and his colleagues are appalled at the tat that is being built around the country as swathes of the £45bn school rebuilding programme is handed meekly over to lowest-common-denominator consortiums"
See full article here - 07-01-20-RIBA JOURNAL ARTICLE JANUARY 2007.doc
Site Latest - 20/01/07 - New Stockton Heath Website
Site Latest - 20/01/07 - Modern Central Road Primary School looses roof in gales !
Manchester Evening News report & Manchester Evening News report
Site Latest - 08/01/07 - Queen Victoria is not AMUSED!
Site Latest - 23/12/06 - SEE THE PLANS HERE! SEE THE DIFFERENCES ?
Warrington Borough Council have made some amendments since the first planning application in March 2006.
Are the amendments for the benefit of our children or just a cost cutting exercise!
Site Latest - 30/11/06 - Warrington Borough Council Letter tries to give you only one option!
What about the democratic due process?
On 24th November Warrington Borough Council Circulated a new letter to Parents/Carers/Stakeholders. It suggests that there is only one option now and provides a form to support the planning application.
What about the people who wish to object? Surely a form should be available to people who wish to object? Its our choice is it not.
view the letter here - 06-11-24-WBC Letter ref planning app.pdf
Stockton Heath Primary School has prepared a full response to the letter with its views on various points!
See SHPSAG Response here - 06-11-30-SHPSAG-response WBC LETTER 24-11-06.doc
Site Latest - 23/11/06
Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group Publish full Analysis of the July 06 Consultation Questionnaire
We would like to hear from you!
In July of this year Warrington Borough Council/LEA sent out 573 Questionnaires (copy of Consultation Questionnaire) to Parents/Carers/Staff/Governors/Residents and Stakeholders.
Only 155 (27%) were returned. The Action Group have prepared a full breakdown of the returns.
see here Analysis of Questionnaire
Were you one of the 418 who did not return the questionnaire?
If so we would like to here from you about your views on what should happen with the school.
e-mail us at SHPSAG@savestocktonheath.co.uk
Site Latest - 22/11/06 - Victorian Society Mention Stockton Heath Primary School in new Leaflet
The Victorian Society have published a new document highlighting the plight of schools facing demolition around the country.
Stockton Heath Primary School is included
see The Victorian Society Document here 06-11-22-Victorian Society Leaflet.pdf
please note the above document is 1.3 meg in size and may take a couple of minutes to download!
Low quality Document is here 06-11-22-Victorian Society Leaflet- low quality.pdf
The Victorian Society Website - http://www.victorian-society.org.uk/
Site Latest - 09/11/06
Misleading NEW School Letter to Parents/Stakeholders ref - A Revised Sect 28(1) Notice!
Warrington Borough Council have sent Parents/Carers/Stakeholders a new letter with reference to the Statutory Sect 28(1) notice which appeared in this weeks Warrington Guardian.
There is no "Response Questionnaire" this time.
The letter also gives the impression to people that the school is just to be enlarged!
We must stress that it is still the councils intention to demolish the existing school and replace it with the new building
See the letter here 2nd WBC Letter ref Sect 28(1) notice
See the Warrington Guardian Notice here 2nd SOC notice Guardian
See notice as published by WBC here 2nd Statutory Notice
And make your views count!
Site Latest - 01/11/06
School Letter to Parents/Carers ref - Our Website!
Stockton Heath Primary School have sent out a letter making reference to our website! see here - School Letter 01-11-06
Site Latest - 27/10/06
School Letter to Parents/Stakeholders ref - Sect 28(1) Notice, Response Questionnaire and details of proposed works!
Warrington Borough Council have finally sent Parents/Carers/Stakeholders a letter with reference to the above Sect 28(1) some 8 days after the notice appeared in the Guardian.
It also contains a "Response Questionnaire" for those who wish to make objections or comments to the proposed enlargement of the school.
The letter also contains notice of the proposed "Site Works" on the School if the SOC meeting and Planning application are successful!
Yet again the Parents/Carers have to get the information some time after it becomes official.
You would have thought that the Parents and carers should have been the first to be told, but no that was not the case!
We ask people to complete the Response Form and let their views be heard at the School Organisation Committee.
Is the school Site big enough for 420 Children? We think Not!
What about the extra Cars when the Extra 86 Children are in the school after the New Local developments such as "Walton Locks" are completed?
See the letter here WBC Letter ref Sect 28(1) notice
And make your views count!
WBC Notice - Sect 28(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Published in Warrington Guardian
See the Full "Warrington Guardian Notice " HERE
The Number of Pupils at the school is 336. The Capacity of the school is 333!
The proposed capacity of the school is to be 420. The current planned admission number for the school is 420 pupils
You can object to the proposals by sending the representations to:
Mrs N Cadwallader, Strategic Director of Children's Services, Warrington Borough Council, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington WA1 2NJ.
This notice is required for the proposed "New Build" planning application. Is the site big enough for a school of a capacity of 420. We do not think so!
See full Sect 28(1) Act and Guidance Document
Update 27-10-06
As seen above WBC have finally sent Parents and Carers a letter with reference to the above Sect 28(1) some 8 days after the notice appeared in the Guardian.
The letter also contains notice of the proposed works if the SOC meeting and Planning application are successful.
Yet again the Parents/Carers have to get the information some time after it becomes official.
You would have thought that the Parents and Carers should have been the first to be told, but no that was not the case!
See the letter here WBC Letter ref Sect 28(1) notice
Site Latest - 12/10/06
The Damning Independent Evaluation Report is finally released to the Public!
The "New Build" option presented by Warrington Borough Council, is not the all singing dancing 21st Century School that the public were promised!
The Report is very damning as regards the two original options and how they were designed.
The "New Build Option" does not meet the National Aspiration of Inspiring Learning Environments quote -
"Despite the due diligence of the process undertaken, the limitations of the budget, time, site and brief requirements appear to have constrained radical thinking and the options are considered currently not to demonstrate the national aspiration of inspiring learning environments. Further development of the options should keep this aspiration in mind."
The report makes several other points which basically say that both Refurb & New Build Options are not up the standards that modern schools should have.
This is really down to the lack of funds available! Or is it lack of Creativity and Innovation
See the Full "EVALUATION of FEASIBILITY STUDIES - STOCKTON HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOL" REPORT HERE
Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group
Launch Funding Campaign!
Campaign Aim
To raise a Million Pounds
to Refurbish the school!
We call on the public and Companies to Support us Now!
Latest News - 5TH October 2006
LOCALLY LISTED SCHOOL AGAIN UNDER THREAT OF DEMOLITION
IT'S A DISGRACE!
NEW PLANS BEING SUBMITTED SOON!
WE AIM TO STOP THE DEMOLITION
AS WE DID LAST MARCH
How the new build will impact on the local street scene from the Conservation Area
Picture 1 without school
Picture 2 with new school
Warrington Worldwide Article - 11-10-06
launch £1m appeal
by Lesley Wilkinson
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Stockton Heath Primary School from demolition are launching a £1 million appeal tomorrow (Thursday) to help refurbish the building.
And on the same day a new website is launched to publicise their work.
Under the slogan, "The Day of Reckoning is Coming," the site features a picture of the school and details of the campaign so far at www.savestocktonheath.co.uk
Richie Wells, chairman of Stockton Heath Primary School Action Group, said members have been campaigning for 15 months to save the locally-listed school.
He was hoping local businesses and those who signed the 5,000-name petition against demolition, would support the fundraising.
"Over this period we have seen the original planning application thrown out at the development control committee meeting on March 20 and the executive board decided to re-submit new plans, to again try to demolish the 'structurally sound' school and put a substandard new building in its place," he said.
"The council has stated that this is the only option available with the allocated funds and that there are no extra funds available for the 'refurbishment option' adding that this is the best option for our children.”
Mr Wells said a recent independent evaluation of the feasibility studies by Latham Architects had criticisms of both the refurbishment and new build options.
"It is very obvious that the 'new build' is not the all singing-dancing school that parents/carers and stakeholders were promised!" he said.
“The 'new build option' does not meet the National Aspiration of Inspiring Learning Environments!"
He claimed it would take a lot of work and money to bring the new design up to standard.
"It appears that this type of thing is now happening all across the country as can be seen by the fact that the Victorian Society are now hosting a conference in November about the issues of schools being demolished around the country.
"I have a son, Arron, in year two and a daughter, Rebecca, who has just started reception in the school and feel very strongly, like many other parents, that a refurbished school is the best all round option to meet our children's needs. We are aware that some parents are for the new build, but still believe the vast majority want a refurbishment.”
The group is applying for Charity Status from the Charity Commission and have set up a charity bank account with a local bank. Details of fundraising and how to make donations will be included on their website.
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