Alarm over sale threat

The Headteacher of a Rushden junior school has warned that pupils and the environment will suffer if a county council threat to sell off the school playing field goes ahead.

The outline application to take away 2.5 acres of land at South End Junior School in Wymington Road and sell to developers is the second demand within two years.

The field, which was declared too large for the size of the school by county education officers, is used for inter-school sports, nature study and school games.

Headteacher Stella Bell, who previously enlisted the support of more than 300 people to stop the application in March, 1989, said she sent a strong letter of protest to the council.

Mrs Bell said: "We are very concerned about the environment. Rushden has very few green open spaces and another one will be destroyed if building permission is given. "It will also affect children's environmental classes along the hedgerows and their sports lessons."

She was backed by George Osborne, chairman of South End Junior School governing body, who said more houses will mean more cars and increased danger on the roads for schoolchildren.

He said: "I felt very sad when I learned the council is bent on disposing of the land again".

John Hodges, assistant director of land and buildings department for the county council, said they were aware the school was not happy with the proposal. The county council land and buildings committee will decide whether to sell or keep the land on Thursday, May 30.