Protest planned over Ashford Carbonell school plan

A protest will made by residents on the site of a proposed new £3.9 million school in a south Shropshire village on Saturday.

Up to 100 people are expected to attend the demonstration at the site of the new Bishop Hooper Primary School in Ashford Carbonell, near Ludlow.

It comes as building work is expected to start, after planning permission was granted by Shropshire Council's south planning committee in August.

The school, which will replace the existing building in Caynham from September 2011, has divided opinion in the village.

Those in favour believe it will help meet a local need, while opponents claim it will create the potential for accidents on main roads for children travelling to attend the school from Ludlow.

Tom Evans, who lives at Wheatcommon Lane in the village and has helped organise the protest, said he believed the plan to spend nearly £4m on the school when cuts were being made elsewhere was "terrible".

He said: "We are going to protest on Saturday from 10am. This will be the last thing we can do."

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, cabinet member for children and young people's services said: "This fantastic new school will benefit many Shropshire children."

Saturday's protest will be on the site of the school on the Caynham road.