UNFORTUNATELY your recent letter writers Christine Oldfield (Redearth Street) and Jayne Waring (Gordon Street) have got hold of the wrong end of the stick in reference to the Darwen Academy.
The option of clearance for the homes in the Redearth area was put forward in public at two meetings in August, 2003 well before the academy plan was mentioned.
Irrespective of the academy, the homes in the Redearth area would have been cleared because of the structural problems and vacant/unpopular properties. (26 per cent of the homes were empty).
It is therefore simply untrue for Christine Oldfield to state that families are losing their homes "for this new academy."
It is also untrue that the new school and sixth form "is a business venture".
The academy will operate a fully inclusive admissions policy and no students will be selected on the basis of their ability, just like the vast majority of schools in the borough.
If anyone has any queries about the academy proposals, please contact me.
Coun DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward).
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