Plans for Falinge Park High School revealed

Date published: 19 September 2007

Plans to transform Falinge Park High School are to be revealed at a consultation meeting next week.

Parents, pupils and local residents are being asked to have their say on future plans to ensure that the proposals meet the needs of both future pupils and of the local community.

Plans to transform the school will be on display in the hall of the school between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday 25 September and anyone with an interest is invited to come along and have a say. A consultation event will also take place from 6pm the same evening.

The proposal is to rebuild the school immediately in front of the existing building, keeping the existing sports hall. The work will begin in 2011, subject to the outcome of consultation with the Charity Commission and planning requirements. Further detail is contained in the letter to local residents. The proposals are part of the government's Building Schools for the Future programme which aims to rebuild or renew every secondary school in England over a 10-15 year period.

Cabinet member for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Irene Davidson said: "Our children deserve the very best and our aim is to ensure that all pupils in the borough have access to the very best learning facilities available. Part of the current school dates back to 1935 and is simply not fit for modern classroom teaching. On top of that, some of the extensions are also in need of repair. Building a new school means that we have a great opportunity to give pupils and the wider community access to modern facilities that meet their needs. I would encourage anyone with an interest to come along and have a say."

Comments from the consultation will be incorporated into a report and considered by councillors at the end of September.

However, locals are already outraged at the the proposal to annexe part of Lenny Barn for the rebuilding of the School. Philip Harwood of Edmund Street said: I would like to register my protest in the strongest possible terms about the potential loss of even a small part of this priceless civic amenity. Green spaces once lost are never recovered, and I am appalled that time and money has already been spent on this proposed act of vandalism.

"In my view no one with any feel for Rochdale, either past or present, could ever contemplate such a mindless act. I urge all those who have had a hand in this scheme to wander on to the Barn on any evening to witness the many impromptu games of football, cricket, rounders, etc. or people just strolling over this wonderful green space.

"Should they climb down from their ivory towers (or, no doubt, leafy suburbs!) they would perhaps notice how well tended and cared-for the space is, largely due to local individuals who collect litter (I have done it myself, without recourse to any organised 'Friends of...', etc) and generally keep it tidy. They also could not fail to notice the diversity of people who enjoy this green oasis in the midst of our predominantly urban landscape. In an era when many such spaces are virtual no-go areas due to anti-social behaviour, Lenny Barn remains a unique and priceless asset."