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Campaigners hit back at ‘silent majority’ claim
5:40pm Thursday 26th July 2007
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to build a school on land at Towneley Park have hit out at claims that they are "flying in the face" of a silent majority who support the scheme.
Organisers of Towneley for the People said there were more than 1,500 people who had signed their petition opposing the site for the new Unity College planned as part of the £250million Building Schools for the Future project.
The claims came after County Coun Marcus Johnstone, cabinet member for children and young people, said earlier this week that most people were in favour of the plans.
Co-ordinator for Towneley for the People Carole Galbraith said: "To put the record straight: there is strong opposition to the county council's plans - some 1,500 people have now signed petitions to save Towneley.
"The delays have not been caused by the protesters but by the county council's failure to consult with Burnley people, its refusal to look at other options.
"As for county councillor Marcus Johnstone's retreat to the mantra of the defeated politician - the 'silent majority'.
Of those that we have approached to sign a petition, some 70 per cent are strongly opposed to the plans, 10 per cent in favour and 20 per cent undecided.
"We are the majority and that we are far from silent."
It had been hoped that pupils would have been able to move into the new site by September 2009 but this date is almost certain to be delayed by the public inquiry which starts in a few weeks' time.
Headteacher Sally Cryer launched a counter petition on the Downing Street website, to "tell the other side of the story" .
So far more than 239 people have signed up in support of building Unity College on the playing fields.
County councillor Marcus Johnstone, said: "It's impossible to say how long the inquiry will last.
"It would be three months or it could be 12, but I'm very confident we will win because our case is very strong.
"We and the planners listened to residents' objections and most of them have now been overcome.
"I do understand people's concerns, but this is a development that will benefit thousands of future Burnley generations."
Your Say YourTelegraph
dai, burnley says...
4:55pm Sun 29 Jul 07
i just wanted to know why shes waited till now to have her say.
and does she know what the old school land going to be used for , by any chance wouldnt be new houses would it ,.
im thinking that there is a blue print allready been drafted to show whats going on the site.
Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council says...
10:32am Mon 30 Jul 07
When the new Unity College has been built the old school site will be demolished, returned to parkland, and handed over to Burnley Borough Council.
The new school pitches will be available for community use.
Anyone who wants to sign the Downing Street petition in favour of the new school should visit http://petitions.pm.
gov.uk/Towneley-BSF/ .
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DISPUTED TERRITORY: Towneley Park
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andy, Spain says...
2:31pm Fri 27 Jul 07
"It would be three months or it could be 12, but I'm very confident we will win because our case is very strong. I am confident that County Councillor Marcus Johnstone will loose his seat at the next election. What ever happened to this man I ask? This man was a staunch Socialist now its obviouse a New Labour stooge where as your principles gone Marcus? I prefer the old Councillor Johnstone not some one who is a stooge. Bring back Clause 1V not the crap you now live by. Councillor Johnstone was a huge critic of Blair and Brown and the other shower that destroyed the Labour Party from its core supporters the working class they now prefare to line the pockets of the Rich and stuff those at the bottom of the ladder. Shame on you Marcus for being so pathetic and supporting this proposal of takiong playing fields etc from the people of Burnley I challenge you to resign and take part in an election have you got the guts? Personally I think not . When the developers move in those who oppose chain yourselves etc to stop them I will put on notice boards to environmentalist groups web sites if this action is called for to reinforce you. The playing fields should not be used for this perhaps Councillor Johstone will have it built on his Property seeing as he likes the idea so much. Over to you Marcus I await your answer like I await Sally Cryers answer on an earlier report of this week.