The Government's refusal to pay for the rebuilding of Wyke Manor School could jeopardise the future of all schools in the area, say councillors.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has blocked plans for Wyke Manor to become a city academy due to its proximity to chemical factory AH Marks.

The Government's decision also has a bearing on four primary schools in the area - High Fearnley, Shirley Manor, Woodlands and Worthinghead.

In a statement released to the Telegraph & Argus, Kevin Allars, head of the HSE's Chemical Industries Division, said it had advised Bradford Council that if a new school was to be built, "it would make sense" to build it outside the consultation zone which surrounds the chemical plant.

Bradford Labour group leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said: "It's extremely worrying for all the education community in Wyke and the community itself.

"The advice given is extremely wrong-headed and cannot be considered in the long-term.

"I feel that all the schools in the community are very safe and we are committed to ensuring we have appropriate education provision and support the rebuilding of Wyke Manor Secondary School.

"I have written a letter on behalf of the Labour group to Ed Balls to urge that this decision is reconsidered at the highest level.

"It has implications not just for Wyke, but for any community across the country which also has a chemical plant."

Councillor David Ward, the Bradford Liberal Democrat group education spokesman, labelled the DCSF's decision "crazy", saying it placed the future of all schools in Wyke in jeopardy.

He said: "It's time the DCSF took direct responsibility for a decision which could affect thousands of schoolchildren."

Councillor David Robinson (Lab, Wyke), said he would like the DCSF and the HSE to reconsider the application and called the decision "ridiculous".

"It sends out the wrong message - what about the old people's home in Wyke, new housing developments as well as the four primary schools?" he said. "Communities are our lifeblood and this community needs its schools at its centre."

Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said: "The HSE told us the schools in Wyke were not in danger - that is its comment not ours. If a planning application was submitted at any of the primary schools due consideration would have to be taken. However, the safety record of AH Marks is exemplary. It has done everything possible to be safe in the community."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The HSE might have a position but in terms of the planning process it did not raise any objections.

"We have provided a briefing pack to all the schools and we are content that they are all safe."

All four primary schools declined to comment on the situation.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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