A PARENT and governor at Newton St Cyres Primary School has written to Simon Trafford, the Planning Officer at Mid Devon District Council, in support of the proposed new school building at Newton St Cyres. She has also copied her letter to Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, David Baker, Chairman of Newton St Cyres Parish Council, Councillor Peter Hare-Scott from Mid Devon District Council and Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires, Devon County Council:

I AM writing in support of the proposed new school building on Station Road in Newton St Cyres. I am a parent and a governor at the school and, living next to the existing school buildings, am well aware of the problems with them, in terms of the design, state of repair and situation on a busy main road.

I understand that the proposed road safety scheme has been rejected by the planning committee who are concerned that the increased traffic to the new school might cause queuing and possible accidents on the A377. Knowing the area very well and having seen the proposed scheme, I do not believe this to be the case.

Of the 66 families at the school, almost half live in the village and would be likely to walk, cycle or scoot to the school. Of those who do not, many would use the proposed walking bus schemes from either the Parish Hall car park or the Crown and Sceptre car park, and their cars would therefore not be entering Station Road at all.

The new school will be no larger than the current school and, with 25 new houses being built next to the new school, it is likely that in the long-term even more families will come from within the village.

For those families who do drive to the school, the proposed road scheme allows for free flow of traffic from the A377 onto Station Road, and (given that drop-offs and pick-ups are staggered because many pupils will attend before and after-school clubs) there will be little inconvenience caused by the priority traffic flow system.

Arguably the road will in fact be safer than it is at present with no widening.

The need for a new school building is undeniable: the current school design is not fit for purpose and certainly does not allow for adequate disabled access.

It is also in a poor state of repair and, most importantly, is located on a busy main road with the school gate set close to the main road. Most of the children are educated in temporary classrooms which are dilapidated.

The proposed new school will address all of these issues and more, providing a safe and stimulating learning environment for our children.

I would be grateful if you were able to put these points to the planning committee when they meet on Monday, and hope that the committee is able to reach a speedy resolution to allow this much-needed new school building to go ahead.

Sophie Dunn

Coniston?Sand Down Lane?Newton St Cyres