Colville School is Safe after 'disastrous' plans are dropped

7.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Aug 2009

Cllr Caruana

New Liberal Democrat Councillor Carol Caruana has welcomed a promise by the Council that they will NOT be going ahead with the controversial plan to sell off the Old Laundry building in Colville School to a private school. "This is a victory for everyone in the local community who opposed the plans but were not consulted, and for the furious residents who signed my petition and other petitions.

"This was always a disastrous idea which would have deprived Colville school children of their play space and a cherished part of the school," said Cllr Caruana.

Last month, the Liberal Democrats exposed the fact that planning permission for the scheme had been waved through by Labour councillor Keith Cunningham who chose not to object at committee. The plan was agreed under delegated powers.

Shortly after Cllr Caruana's by-election win, Cllr Cunningham was de-selected by his own party. This means he must stand down in May and is not allowed to stand for re-election. The reason for the de-selection was not made public.