Despite building 3,000 new homes across Rastrick and Brighouse as part of Labour’s Local Plan, Calderdale Council’s Labour-run Cabinet has now decided to cut funding for two new Primary Schools that are essential to support this development.
Their justification? A report from the Children and Young People’s Service Directorate of Planning School Places (2023) that explicitly excludes the anticipated increase in demand for school places in these growing communities.
According to Department for Education (DfE) guidelines, every 1,000 new homes typically generate demand for 250 primary school places and 130 secondary school places.
With 1,927 new homes planned for Rastrick alone, the 234 surplus places projected in the Council’s report will be completely wiped out leaving a shortfall of over 500 additional primary school places across Rastrick and Brighouse.
Government guidance also confirms that new housing developments attract young families, meaning demand could be even higher than these estimates suggest.
At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Conservative Councillor Howard Blagbrough (Brighouse) challenged Labour to explain this inexplicable decision and reconsider their position.
Their response? They refused to change their mind.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Calder Valley MP, Josh Fenton-Glynn, has been completely silent on the issue. Does he support the cancellation of these schools? If not, why isn’t he speaking out?
The people of Rastrick and Brighouse deserve answers. Labour is failing to deliver for local families and children.
