Parents block Lib Dem school closure plan

Lib Dem Focus from February 2005

After three years of delay, muddle and a stubborn refusal to listen, Lambeth's Lib Dem and Tory councillors have been forced to back down over plans to demolish Glenbrook Primary School. The Lib Dems planned to close the popular primary school and nearby sheltered housing and use the site for a new secondary school - even though there is a better EMPTY site available nearby. Parents at the school and old folks living in the housing scheme have fought a long, hard battle to save their school and their homes.

Information confidentially leaked to Labour councillors confirms that the Lib Dems are about to perform a humiliating climb-down and will no longer pursue plans to build on Glenbrook. The Liberals have consistently voiced their preference for that site, but have now given in to a concerted campaign by local parents, Keith Hill MP and Labour councillors. The decision brings the prospect of a new school being built on an alternative site on Brixton Hill a step closer. That site has the strong backing of local parent.

In their Focus newsletter distributed in February 2005 the Lib Dems stated. “Labour councillors won’t back Lib Dem plans for the new school [at Glenbrook] They have argued for millions to be spent on land in Brixton for a new school there. But Lib Dem plans mean a school can open much sooner.” But in a humiliating u-turn the Lib Dems are now rejecting the site which they were backing so strongly only weeks earlier.

Councillor Steve Reed at Clifton Sheltered housing

Labour councillors Donatus Anyanwu and Steve Reed publicly called for a full study into the Brixton Hill site two years ago only for Lib Dem Councillor Lumsden to say it wasn't necessary. Lambeth’s three Labour MPs have now stepped in and demanded that the Lib Dem council puts in the spadework to identify the costs of building on the Brixton Hill site so that a final decision can be taken without further delay.

Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Labour Group said:

“The Lib Dems were trying to foist the cheapest option on the community. They’ve been forced to realise that local parents, backed by Labour councillors, will not accept second best for their children.”

“The Liberals have caused chaos and heartache with their incompetent handling of this issue. They must now move ahead with proposals to build a secondary school on the Brixton Hill site – just like we told them to over two years ago.”

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