Critics have blasted the move as a 'huge disappointment' but the school is 'delighted' with the news
18 Jul 2016: A controversial secondary school has won a landmark High Court case to remain in Stoke Poges.
Khalsa Secondary School, in Hollybush Hill, fought a long-running battle against the parish council and South Bucks District Council (SBDC) which culminated in court on Tuesday (July 12) and Wednesday (July 13).
Campaigners have argued against the school being there , with people claiming it is wrongly located, causes too much noise and traffic and that it is illegal.
Both Stoke Poges Parish Council and (SBDC) refused planning permission for it to be built three years ago, a decision which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.
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| Campaigners against Stoke Poges' free school, Khalsa Secondary Academy |
The former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, overruled that decision, before overturning his own decision in March last year, but in February current communities secretary Greg Clerk allowed the school to stay on site.
A statement from the school reads: “Khalsa Secondary Academy is delighted the legal challenge has been unsuccessful and the decision has been upheld and that it is right for Khalsa Secondary Academy to remain in Pioneer House. This provides the much needed certainty for the pupils, parents and staff.
“We wish to thank all of the local community, parents, staff and pupils for supporting the school to this successful conclusion.
“We now look forward to commencing the full refurbishment of the existing site to allow us to provide world class educational facilities for our pupils and staff.”
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| Residents protesting against opening of Khalsa School |
A spokesman for SBDC said: “We are very disappointed with the outcome and in light of the judgement will now have to carefully consider our options.
“We have always acted to protect the interests of our residents and felt that we had a strong case.
“Next steps for us are to give measured and informed consideration to the full judgement and any decision will be made with the best interests of our residents in mind.”
Saera Carter, vice chairman of Stoke Poges Parish Council, said: “This is a huge disappointment for small communities everywhere.
“For the past three and half years, the Department for Education and the Department for Communities and Local Government have ignored the residents, the parish and district councils, and overruled their own Planning Inspector’s independent inquiry.
“In addition to the noise and traffic imposition, the opening of this free school has had a significant financial impact on parents, not just in Stoke Poges, but in the surrounding villages of Burnham, Iver, Wexham, Fulmer and Farnham - parents who have lost their previous right to free Home to School transport and will now forced to pay thousands of pounds per year to send their children to a school of their choosing. It is a sad day.
“We hope that, despite losing our challenge, it will persuade the DoE to look much more carefully at where it sites free schools and that these are kept only to locations where they are both needed and wanted.”
KSA End of School Year 2016 video
Learn more about KSA: http://khalsasecondaryacademy.com/