On Thursday 24th March a planning application meeting was held at Fareham Borough Council Civic Offices to decide the fate of the field next door to our school.
This is a much valued piece of countryside that our local community have been fighting to protect for well over 30 years. Our pupils have first hand experience of how important this field is for wildlife in Portchester. As part of our leading environmental curriculum children have studied the wildlife that lives there and feel passionate that as well as protecting wildlife worldwide it needs to start on their doorstep.
Naturally our pupils have a voice and looked into all sides of the proposed development (they looked at the reasons for development as well as what what be destroyed). Councillors Nick Walker and Sue Bell gave some pupils the opportunity to attend the meeting to have an insight to the decision making process. They were joined by a former pupil who now attends Cams Hill School and our Chair of Governors. Two Year 6 pupils wrote a moving letter to the be read out at the meeting. Pupils learned that this is known as a deputation.
At the meeting, all the of councillors praised the school was praised for its support and for taking such an active role in local matters concerning them. Overall it was noted that there had never been such a well attended planning application meeting and some weighty deputations given by the people of Portchester added to the the atmosphere.
As reported by 'The News' the planning application was thrown out much to the delight of the strong community presence. However, our pupils are aware that this decision may be appealed and the fight to save our field forever will be a big one.
Happy at having a pupil voice, the journey home was green one by bus!
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| Deer enjoy grazing in the field next door |
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