Petition started for use of site

A campaign has been launched to preserve a former Kidderminster school site for educational use only.

Wyre Forest District councillor Mumshad Ahmed believes the proposed new St George's School should be built on the site of the former Sladen School in Hurcott Road.

He has organised a petition calling for the move and claims he has the backing of residents.

He believes the site would provide better access than the one already proposed for building on playing fields at the rear of the present school buildings off a narrow cul-de-sac in Plain Tree Close.

Costs for the building of the new school would also be reduced if the Sladen site was used, he claims.

Councillor Ahmed said that he had launched the petition to save the former Sladen site following withdrawal of funding by the Learning and Skills Council for proposals by Kidderminster College to build a £15 million extension and a new learning centre.

Councillor Stephen Clee, spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said, "I welcome Mumshad's postcard campaign and the volume of support it brings. If we have a cheaper option than the current proposals then we will look at them."