PORTLAND councillors have spoken out against plans to see a new £14million school built at Southwell Business Park.
Yesterday saw the second day of a public inquiry into whether a new campus will be built at the Portland site.
Scores of people packed into the room at the Heights Hotel to hear the proceedings.
The isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA) is appealing against a decision by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning committee to refuse permission for the development at Maritime House.
Councillor Margaret Leicester was called as one of three witnesses for the borough council.
She told the inquiry that she believed that ‘the harm of the proposals outweigh the benefits’.
She added that the new school would not ‘integrate into the community’ due to its ‘remote’ location, leading to increasing traffic and parking congestion.
Concerns were also raised about building design, the future of Portland Youth Club and claims that the plans might eventually impact on an ‘important open gap’ near the site.
Other Portland councillors also spoke at the inquiry to raise their concerns in opposition to the scheme. The public inquiry continues today.
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