Spencer's Farm plans: Speak to your ward councillors

Three councillors who represent Furze Platt in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have confirmed their opposition to the controversial vision to move the senior school and are due to hold a drop-in session tonight.

Cllrs Derek Sharp, Hari Sharma and Mohammed Ilyas have voiced concerns over the Spencers Farm plans revealed three weeks ago.

If they went ahead Furze Platt Senior School could be built on the land in North Town along with sports facilities and houses. The old Furze Platt Road school site could be redeveloped.

Each councillor has received a flurry of calls and emails since the news broke.

"People are really worried," said Cllr Sharma. "They [Summerleaze] are going to ruin the character of the area."

As a governor at Furze Platt Infant School, he and Cllr Sharp, a governor at the junior school, questioned the impact the potential move would have on the senior school's catchment area.

Not only would it no longer actually be in Furze Platt, they feel it would ruin the 'cohesion' and 'continuity' which comes from having its feeder schools on the same site.

They reiterated residents' fears that it would be more difficult for children living nearby to get places.

Cllr Ilyas, himself a teacher, said the plans to build up to 700 new houses across the Spencers Farm and Furze Platt Road sites was also a worry.

"Of course we need housing but it doesn't mean we should just put housing here there and everywhere," he said.

"I don't think it will be good for the community."

The group say they will support their residents wishes all the way over the plans.

Cllr Sharma added: "Common sense should prevail."

A drop-in surgery is expected to take place tonight at Furze Platt Memorial Hall in Furze Platt Road between 7-9pm.

Residents are welcome to attend to speak to their ward councillors about the school plans.

Report 1: Breaking: Relocation proposal for Furze Platt School

Report 2: UPDATE: New school site plans include 700 new homes

Report 3: Peter Prior speaks about Furze Platt school plans

Report 4: Headteacher speaks about Furze Platt School plan

Report 5: Furze Platt School relocation plan: A student's view

Report 6: Sports clubs speak about idea to relocate