Northampton Chronicle & Echo, 12^th July 1991

School land sell-off is voted down

School land sell-offs by Northamptonshire County Council have come under fire from members.

And a stretch of green space at Rushden South End Junior School was saved after councillors voted against selling it, by 34 votes to 29.

The full council was asked by its policy and resources committee yesterday to declare 2.5 acres at the school surplus to requirements.

But councillors of all political colours spoke out against the plan.

Labour Councillor Harry Graham said: "This land is an oasis in the middle of the town, which is becoming over­built."

Councillor Cyril Benton, Conservative, said: "I do feel that we sometimes go a bit too far in selling off land. Even if we do sell this bit of land I hope we think very carefully about all the land sales in the future."

But Conservative Councillor Sir William Morton said the council would not be able to build or improve schools without the income from land sales. "We are in desperate need of the money and of new class­rooms and we can keep the green sites as well as selling land. I hope we will vote for this sale."