I WISH to take issue with the comments from Rob Emmett in his article (July 11) on Chiseldon Primary School's planning application.

I have three daughters who happily attend the school.

1. Mr Emmett says: "The school is constructing an empire of buildings, not learning. Our children are being used as blackmail tools."

As I see it the school is a victim of its own success. It was originally designed to house a lot less children that it can now cope with. This is compounded by new houses being built in the village, which will put additional pressure on the school's resources. The most recent communication to parents from the school indicate that because of the delays in the granting of the planning application, the school is struggling to cater for the needs of our children in September.

There will be two classes of 40 children next year I don't think that asking for increased and improved facilities amounts to blackmail.

2. I can't see that the planning application will impede anyone's view towards Liddington hill, the mobiles are low rise buildings which will be mostly obscured by existing trees on the school site.

Contrary to your report, the school's neighbours have been involved and consulted.

3. Mr Emmett says: "Parents keeping quiet for fear of their children being put at a disadvantage." This is an extremely dangerous assertion to make neither the headteacher or his staff would put anyone's children at a disadvantage.

There are so many positive things to say about Chiseldon Primary School and all its staff. If the school is guilty of anything, it is having the good sense to show a bit of enterprise, foresight and spirit in actually trying to improve the lot of our children.

ALAN BUSSON

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