I NOTE last week's Journal that Peter Aldous, MP has publicly backed the creation of a new high school at Pakefield. He seems to have caved in to the Tory-controlled county council's pressure and has 'shown his true colours' after previously assuring residents and parents that he was opposed to the new school.

I NOTE last week's Journal that Peter Aldous, MP has publicly backed the creation of a new high school at Pakefield. He seems to have caved in to the Tory-controlled county council's pressure and has 'shown his true colours' after previously assuring residents and parents that he was opposed to the new school.

I share his enthusiasm for a purpose-built school for the benefit of future education, but not at a site that is totally unsuitable in all respects.

I also remind him that original surveys from teachers, parents and professional stakeholders put the Pakefield site as their least-preferred choice. His slender electoral majority may be substantially eroded in his betrayal of Pakefield residents and the parents whose children will be affected by this 'compromise' school, as admitted by SCC.

He has joined the Tory-dominated county council in changing a successful middle school into a sub-standard high school where pupils and staff will be 'educated' in a building site and in temporary classrooms, because the cash is not available to meet the original and publicly-heralded architect's plans.

Our former MP Bob Blizzard, himself a former teacher, is opposed to the project and has been supportive to the mainly elderly residents who will be affected by this greatly enlarged school.

I note that there is already a board of governors, a headmaster and an active process in place to recruit staff, before planning consent has been gained for the project.

So much for the so-called independence of the planning process, where county council employees will not dare to oppose their political masters and refuse such permission, or even have the courage to vary the plans.

A public meeting will be held at the 7th Day Adventist Church, Saxon Road, Pakefield, on Wednesday, July 28, at 7pm, where the plans will be discussed. It is vital that as many residents as possible attend this meeting and that the consultation letters that SCC have finally sent out are returned before August 6.

Derek Hackett

Ship Road

Pakefield