Planning expert joins Uplyme New School Team

But campaigners say more skilled helpers are urgently needed to take the project forward

CAMPAIGNERS bidding to build a new primary school in Uplyme have recruited another expert to help push the project forward.

Chartered town planner Simon Coles, who lives in the village with his wife Jane and two children, has joined Mrs Ethelston’s New School Team.

His expertise has been welcomed by committee chairman Ian Thomas who said they had also been approached by a number of other local people with additional relevant experience.

But he said they still have a pressing need for:

* Legal expertise, particularly property law and contract, to help with land acquisition and contracts.

* Fund raising, the skills to open the right doors, and secure significant funding for the new school.

In the meantime he said continued fund raising for the current school is still essential.”

Governor Jacqueline Hughes confirmed: “Although a new school is our ultimate aim, it is important to constantly assess our current facilities and look for improvements to enhance the current children’s education.

“From this perspective, the school is still planning an outdoor classroom for the children. The PTFA are fundraising to raise some of the capital for the project. In this light the new outdoor classroom construction would be made portable, so that it could be transported to a new school site. We are very conscious that all expenditure must be viewed with this in mind as we progress our plans.”