AN EAST Cleveland education leader has hit back at criticism over plans to build a new single-site school at Skelton, to replace Freebrough Community College, which currently has three school sites.

Coun Ian Jeffrey, lead member for education at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said most people at Skelton, Brotton and Loftus wanted a decision to be taken soon, rather than an endless debate.

Last week, a group of parents led by Brotton objector Kath Taylor handed a 358-signature petition against a central location to Dr Ashok Kumar, MP.

They said locating the new school at Skelton would rip the hearts out of Brotton and Loftus. They also had fears over road safety.

Freebrough College declined to comment, but Coun Jeffrey subsequently contacted the D&S Times to air his views.

He said objectors were in a minority at a public meeting earlier this month

"The principal decision was to site the school at Skelton, subject to a number of factors, including finding a suitable site. Most people accepted that we needed to get on with the job."

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