Gordon Birtwistle & Burnley Liberal Democrats

The people of Brunshaw, with backing from Allen Harris and the Liberal Democrats, have won in their bid to get a Public Enquiry on the location of Towneley’s new superschool.

Education is the responsbility of the Labour-run County Council. But the County Council wants to use a site partly owned by Burnley Borough Council. Since taking control of Burnley, the Lib Dems have listened to public pressure, and refused to sell to the Labour-run County Council the land needed to move Towneley High School onto the playing fields in Towneley Park.

 

But Labour have vowed that the school will go ahead, making it an election issue.

 

As a result, the Labour County Council has asked for a Compulsory Purchase Order to force Burnley to sell the land. But the Secretary of State has ordered that there be a Public Enquiry before any such sale takes place. This means that the public will have the opportunity to make their views known to a judge before the decision is made.

 

Local resident Ms SD said, “The school should be replaced, but on the site that it now exists on. It should not be built on the proposed site as it is cutting into the lovely grounds surrounding Towneley Park and is going to put a lot of heavy traffic in the area.”

 

Lib Dem worker Allen Harris offered his support. “I agree with the local residents. The investment in our schools is badly needed, but we have to make sure the money is wisely spent.”

 

Labour are believed to be backing the playing fields site.