News Post Leader
By HELEN SMITHSON
BLYTH Valley MP Ronnie Campbell has appealed to the Government for a public inquiry into the controversial plans for an all-age academy in Blyth.
Mr Campbell has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MP Hazel Blears, calling an independent inspection into the proposals and decide whether a public inquiry is necessary.In a letter to the Ms Blears, Mr Campbell raised concerns about Northumberland County Council handling the application, because the authority are in favour of the academy, and it is the county council's planning department that will decide on the proposals.An initial appeal for a public inquiry was rejected, but Mr Campbell has urged the minister to 'think again' about recalling the proposals.He told the News Post Leader: "This is a county council application, and the county council's planning department is going to be deciding on the matter."As far as that authority is concerned, we are going to get an academy whether we like it or not."The council's planning department should
not be deciding on its own plans."I think democracy should come before all else, and this is biased."A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: "Northumberland County Council has taken legal advice, and is therefore satisfied that it is the appropriate authority to determine these applications."The Secretary of State has been asked to call in the applications, and has declined to intervene. She has concluded that there is no sufficient reason to justify calling in the application."The County Council's Executive remains confident that this remains a great opportunity for children and young people in Blyth to benefit from multi-million pound new school facilities."The planning and regulation committee earlier this month has deferred a decision on the Ridley application in order that there could be further examination of issues raised by some local residents."
By HELEN SMITHSON
BLYTH Valley MP Ronnie Campbell has appealed to the Government for a public inquiry into the controversial plans for an all-age academy in Blyth.
Mr Campbell has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MP Hazel Blears, calling an independent inspection into the proposals and decide whether a public inquiry is necessary.In a letter to the Ms Blears, Mr Campbell raised concerns about Northumberland County Council handling the application, because the authority are in favour of the academy, and it is the county council's planning department that will decide on the proposals.An initial appeal for a public inquiry was rejected, but Mr Campbell has urged the minister to 'think again' about recalling the proposals.He told the News Post Leader: "This is a county council application, and the county council's planning department is going to be deciding on the matter."As far as that authority is concerned, we are going to get an academy whether we like it or not."The council's planning department should
not be deciding on its own plans."I think democracy should come before all else, and this is biased."A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: "Northumberland County Council has taken legal advice, and is therefore satisfied that it is the appropriate authority to determine these applications."The Secretary of State has been asked to call in the applications, and has declined to intervene. She has concluded that there is no sufficient reason to justify calling in the application."The County Council's Executive remains confident that this remains a great opportunity for children and young people in Blyth to benefit from multi-million pound new school facilities."The planning and regulation committee earlier this month has deferred a decision on the Ridley application in order that there could be further examination of issues raised by some local residents."
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