The information below was supplied to the Wickford Action Group by Essex County Council following concerns expressed to us by some Wickford residents.

"The County Council has asked the governing bodies of The Wickford Infant School and Wickford Junior School to consider whether they wish to explore further an opportunity to relocate the Infant School onto the site of the Junior School in a new building, designed to meet modern curriculum requirements.  This opportunity is presented due to the proposed regeneration of Wickford Town Centre and the potential opportunity this presents to re-invest in the town centre schools.  The idea is at an early stage and no decisions have been taken.  If the governing bodies decide that they wish to explore this opportunity further, the Infant School site will be included in the specification for proposed tenderers for the town centre regeneration project.  A public consultation will be carried out next year if governors and the County Council decide to pursue the opportunity"

We understand from the school governors that the original proposal originated from Basildon Council. "BDC approached ECC and asked them to look into the opportunity of expanding the school". If it were to be approved, the council would have prime land in the town centre to offer to the highest bidder for yet more blocks of flats.

We would stress that the above was just a proposal, and we now know that the two schools involved have rejected the idea. 

We are extremely pleased that common sense has prevailed. To move onto the same ground would mean that the combined Infant and Junior schools would lose a significant area of playing fields, and at a time when the population of the town is being increased by over 700 flats under the Master Plan. 

It would also have resulted in YET MORE flats in the town centre, on the site of the Infant School. Wickford has precious few old buildings, yet the powers that be seem set on destroying the character of the town whilst filling the pockets of developers and estate agents.

This was most certainly not in the Master Plan consultation, but that doesn't seem to worry our Council. "Basildon Council aims to deliver good quality, customer focused services that meet our customers' needs". Oh yes?