Save St Martins Garden School

Last night the Scrutiny panel voted 4 - 2 to send the decision to build a supermarket and demolish St Martins Garden School back to the Cabinet for a rethink.

Voting to refer back were in favour - Cllr Marie Brewer (Conservative) Cllrs Dave Dixon, Caroline Roberts, Ruth Griffiths (all Lib Dem), and against - Cllr David Hawkins (Conservative) and Cllr Chris Cray (Independent).

There was a vociferous gathering of parents, children and local residents outside the Guildhall before the meeting, demonstrating to 'Save our School'.

This is small victory, because the Cabinet can ignore the reference back. Cllr Colin Darracott, the only member of the cabinet to vote against the proposal to demolish the school will suggest taking the site out of the local plan, until a retail strategy and a green spaces strategy is produced. Local residents should then be involved in any discussion on the future of the site.

Now sign the petition at www.savestmartins.moonfruit.com