A temporary classroom is at the centre of a row between two councils
Parents and town councillors are fed up with children being out in the cold after ten years.
The relocatable building has been on the playground at Chipping Hill School, in Witham, for a decade already and now Essex County Council is seeking permission to keep it there for another five years.
Witham Town Council has objected to the application to keep the facility, arguing that youngsters are entitled to a permanent building.
Two new classrooms were opened at the school last April, replacing two other demountables, but this one remains despite the winter weather.
The county council admits it should be replaced, and Peter Unthank, principal planning officer, said: "The school needs this facility and we will give priority to educational needs."
But he added: "Although it would be desirable to have a new building, if the alternative is to have a relocatable or nothing, it is obviously better to have the relocatable."
Despite the concerns raised by Witham Council, the application to keep the demountable classsroom, to be discusssed this Friday, has been recommended.
Published Wednesday October 23, 2002
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