WITH just hours left until the fate of Oxford’s Swan School is sealed, critics have made a last stand against its controversial location.

Oxford City Council’s planning committee will consider River Learning Trust’s application for the new Marston secondary school tonight, and officers have recommended they give approval.

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But some residents have now pointed to another parcel of land for the school, which they claim would be more suitable than the proposed site of the Harlow Centre off Marston Ferry Road.

CURRENT LOCATION

Oxford Mail:

They believe a pitch next to The Cherwell School, formerly used by Oxford Harlequins Rugby Football Club, would be a better home for the 1,260-pupil Swan School.

ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL

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One Marston resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s a bit of a no-brainer really - how could they miss this?"

Tony Greenfield, a member of Old Marston Parish Council, agreed that the rugby fields would be 'more convenient'.

He added: "I really hope the planning committee looks at this. It's got to be worth considering."

He claimed residents were told by a Swan School representative that the Harlequins site was unsuitable because it is too small.

But calculations carried out by the unnamed resident suggest it is of equal size to the proposed site, if not slightly bigger.

The resident said the Harlequins base, which the team vacated earlier this year for Horspath Sport Ground, would be more sensible as it is already next to an established school, has an underpass for cyclists, and will be less disruptive for residents.

He noted there is already a 30mph speed limit in place, nearby bus stops, and a junction.

Councillor Mick Haines has also called for a rethink on the free school's location, raising concerns that the drainage scheme could fuel flooding issues in Marston.

Oxford Mail:

Paul James, chief executive of the River Learning Trust, has dismissed the former Harlequins site as ‘completely inappropriate'.

He said: “The Harlequins RFC site playing fields is not owned by Harlequins RFC but is The Cherwell School’s playing fields.

“I do not think we have ever said that these sports fields are not big enough to build a new secondary school, but I know we have said at meetings with local residents that they are the playing fields for students at The Cherwell School."

He said the loss of playing fields for pupils at Cherwell is ‘just one reason’ not to build there.

A government agency called the ESFA is responsible for finding sites for free schools.

Its struggle to find one suitable for the Swan School resulted in its opening being pushed back from September 2017 to September 2019.

Oxfordshire County Council sold the government the proposed Swan School site for £1, after the ESFA said it was the best option.

Mr James said: "All possible options were carefully looked at for dealing with the looming secondary school places crisis in the city.

"An extensive site search was conducted, taking into account the shortage of school places.

"This is a significant issue in Marston and is only predicted to get worse there, and across the city if the school is not built.

"We recognise concerns of residents, are addressing these, and are determined that the school will benefit Marston families, the community and the city."

The meeting starts at 6pm tonight at Oxford Town Hall.