SUFFOLK County Council has been accused of ignoring the wishes of the rural community in deciding not to support plans for a secondary school in Clare.
In a series of letters, community organisations in Clare have attacked the decision not to support proposals to create Stour Valley Community College (SVCC).
In one letter to the Government, CLARE (Clare and Local Area for Rural Education), the gr
oup which put together the proposals for the 800-pupil college, called on schools minister Jim Knight to intervene.
The letter claimed Suffolk County Council, having made the decision to close all middle schools in the Haverhill and Clare area, had a conflict of interest.
It says: "We would appeal to you as a matter of urgency to intervene in this issue and provide an unbiased, honest and open review and decision upon our proposal."
Clare Parish Council has also written to Cllr Jeremy Pembroke, leader of Suffolk County Council, outlining its 'dismay' at the county council's decision and highlighting how Clare has provided secondary education for 50 years – with a middle school having replaced a secondary school since 1977.
The county council was also accused of failing to consider the future sustainability of Clare once it loses its secondary schooling and of ignoring public opinion.
The letter said: "Your decision disregards the views of the 1,200 residents of Clare and surrounding villages who expressed their total support for SVCC."
These sentiments were echoed in a letter to the county council by Clare Society.
A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: "When we consulted on the proposals for schools in Haverhill and the surrounding areas last year there was a considerable number of people who were concerned about developing a school in Clare because of the impact it could have on other schools in the area.
"The decision not to support the bid was taken on the grounds of viability and the county council's principles for school organisation."
