Funding Withdrawal Sparks Outrage
The decision to withdraw funding for a new 420-place school has been labeled "insulting" by Dame Priti Patel, the Conservative MP for Witham.
Lodge Farm Primary School was planned as part of a new development comprising 750 homes in north Witham, Essex. However, the government announced on Thursday that it would no longer finance the project, a move Essex County Council has pledged to contest.
"This is an outrageous decision, which will cause harm to education and school provision in Witham and Essex,"said Dame Priti.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment regarding the decision.
The development, which received planning approval in 2015, also included plans for a nursery accommodating 56 children.
In a letter addressed to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and shared on social media, Dame Priti criticized the government for leaving the town facing "a significant shortage in local school places."
She emphasized the negative impact on children with special educational needs and disabilities, stating,
"As a matter of urgency, you should reconsider and reflect on this decision and the harm it will cause to education, children and families."
The government initially informed Essex County Council of its intention to cancel the development in December.
Peter Harris, the incoming Reform UK leader for the local authority, described the decision as "extremely disappointing and short-sighted," calling it a "massive blow" for families in the area.
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