MP Bob Seely has met with Education Secretary Justine Greening to ensure redundant school land on the Island is released for affordable housing as a matter of urgency.
The sites at Taylor Road, Newport, and the former Island Learning Centre at Lake need consent from the Department of Education before they can be transferred to Sovereign Housing, who are working in partnership with the Island’s council to build homes, but the clock is ticking.
“I told the minister these schemes are being funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the funds to deliver these important projects are time limited so it was important consent was forthcoming and the much needed homes can be built,” explained Bob.
“I asked her to raise the matter with her officials as a matter of urgency and she promised to do this."
Bob also spoke to the minister about Sandown Bay Academy and asked her to support continued secondary education in the bay area.
“We spoke about how parents and our communities are very worried about the proposed closure and that a clear statement from the Department of Education about this would be of great help,” Bob added.