More than 150 attend public meeting over bid to build Ilkley school on Green Belt

Feelings were running high as 150 people turned up at the Clarke Foley Centre to debate the planning application for a new school on fields off Wheatley Lane, Ben Rhydding.

Objectors had concerns about traffic and the loss of Green Belt land.

Residents spoke out about fears that an expanded school population of 2,000 would hit the education and pastoral care of its pupils.

But parents, school staff and governors who spoke at the meeting showed their support for the plans, calling on opponents to consider the need for 21st century facilities for children, and the limitations of the current Cowpasture Road site.

Supporters of the new school warned against throwing away the opportunity to rebuild it.

Long-time governor Peter Cheney said: “Be careful what you wish for, you might not like it.”

The meeting was called by Ilkley Parish Council’s Plans Committee – expected to make its recommendation to Bradford Council planners on Monday – after an above-capacity turnout by objectors at its meeting in January.

Ilkley resident Peter Johnson, who is secretary of Wharfedale Rail Users’ Group, said the Council should not look at developing the site until it is known if the district’s housing requirement will actually fall closer to Burley-in-Wharfedale or Menston. Objectors made calls for money to instead be spent on making improvements to the current school – and to build a new school for Burley and Menston, or Addingham and Silsden children.

Sandy Macpherson, of Ben Rhydding, said 109 current students are from Bradford postcode areas.

There were also concerns about road safety and borrowing needed to fund the school, under Bradford’s Building Schools for the Future scheme.

Ilkley Grammar’s head teacher Gillian James said she did share some concerns with objectors.