Preston Park - Jacquie Bell writes

The debate over Egglescliffe School has certainly been hotting up since Dari Taylor MP wrote to local residents proposing to rebuild it at Preston Park. I have been viewing the debate and the hard work put into it by the 3 Liberal Democrat Councillors in Eaglescliffe.

Mrs Taylor says she wrote to residents to open a debate on the future of the school. However, numerous people have contacted their councillors concerned that she has already made her mind up - to build on a vital green space in the area.

Mrs Taylor is a late player in the game. Cllr Maureen Rigg and her colleagues have been seeking the views of residents for many months through the regular editions of "Focus". Unlike Mrs Taylor they do not have the benefit of a paid Parliamentary researcher to do the groundwork. They are in regular touch with local people.

Stockton Liberal Democrats are not advocating the closure of Egglescliffe and Conyers Schools - Labour government rules won't allow it anyway. However the rules do not allow the purchase of new school sites leading to a temptation to grab part of a Council owned green space.

Council officers are looking into the feasibility of various sites. As yet Mrs Taylor and the Councillors cannot be sure the outcome and thus it seems presumptuous that Mrs Taylor has already taken her ideas to Westminster. She seems to have the support of people in Ingleby Barwick for her ideas but the numbers signing the Liberal Democrat petition and visiting the party website give a clear message - Hands Off Preston Park - building the school there comes at too high an amenity price.

Jacquie Bell (Mrs )

Parliamentary Spokesperson Stockton South