A FURIOUS war of words has erupted after a St Johns school secured the green light for a state-of-the-art, purpose built performing arts venue in the heart of the city.
Christopher Whitehead Language College and Sixth Form staff are celebrating after the innovative building won support from a majority of Worcester City Council planning chiefs during a meeting on Thursday.
However, outspoken councillor Alan Amos, who sits on the committee, rubbished the scheme and labelled the building a ‘dreadful eyesore’.
The purpose built educational venue will provide a performing arts and multi-functional base for teaching and will combine music, drama, dance and vocational studies.
It will help students to learn about business and there is a radio station, booking office, hair salon and small kitchen and servery. Marketing of events will also provide opportunities for students to understand more about business promotion.
The addition of a bell tower, which is attracting private funding, means the school will be the only state school in the country to have such facilities on site.
This will enable the teaching of bell-ringing to improve students’ physical agility, co-ordination, reaction time and balance, improve muscle endurance and cardiovascular fitness as well as help to keep this art form alive.
Headteacher Neil Morris, said: “This is fantastic news. Our school motto is in ‘Pursuit of Excellence’ and this entire performing arts centre will make an incredible difference to our students and the breadth of what we can offer through the curriculum.”
“This is also a great cultural and educational opportunity to become the first state school to have a non-intrusive, sound proofed, beautiful bell tower.
The sound will be controlled by physically ‘muffling’ the bells so that the chime can only be heard by the students through the use of a computer and headphones.
The bells will only be allowed to ring audibly to celebrate special local and national events, under the supervision of experienced bell ringers, for 12 days a year for an hour on each of the occasions between 10am and 6pm.
Despite the measures, Coun Amos said ordinary people had no meaningful say in the planning process.
“Yet again, their views and interests have been completely ignored whilst the applicants get every consideration and approval right from the outset, as I predicted the minute this application was listed.
“Is it any wonder the headmaster of the school told residents that he certainly wouldn’t want it in his back garden, this creates a needless conflict between the school and the community.
“They claim this 24 metre high tower will not be visible; that the viewing platform on top will not overlook any of the properties surrounding it; and that the ringing of the bells will not be heard – if so, what is the point of a bell tower?
“I have assured my constituents I will vigorously support their complaints in every way as this dreadful eyesore starts its nuisance.”
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