A leading councillor says the old Thames Valley University site in East Reading is still needed for educational purposes, not housing.

Cllr John Ennis, lead member for education and children’s services, gave that assurance at the full Reading Borough Council meeting on Tuesday.

He was asked by the new Green councillor Jamie Whitham for an update on the site and for information about the progress on getting a school for children aged 11 and upwards.

Cllr Ennis said: “As at June 26, this site is jointly owned by the University of West London and the council. The council owns half of the playing field and the university owns the rest, including all of the buildings that comprised the further education provision.

“As far as we are aware, no land has changed hands although public statements have been made by those involved with the University Technical College (UTC) bid about the plan to split the University of West London land into two parcels – one to be sold to the Department for Education for the UTC and the other to be sold to a third party.

“The third party has approached the council to determine if the land could be developed for residential use. The council has re-affirmed that there is an unmet need for local education and that the site is required for that purpose.”

The Government announced plans for a University Technical College in Reading for 14- to 19-year-olds last October.

The council has been pressing for a school catering for the full secondary age range from 11 to 19.

Cllr Ennis went on: “The council has formally responded to the UTC proposal by setting out a clear position, that the council does not support the proposal.

“Our response recognises that the educational aims are good and the opportunity would be appealing to a small number of Reading students, however, the proposed location impacts significantly on opportunity for a local comprehensive school and it is not something that can be supported.

“The department was invited to work with us on finding a local solution and we are still waiting for that call to be returned.

“We will be consulting with parents, pupils and the local community in the autumn under the Working Better With You, Let’s Talk Education process to listen to views on a comprehensive 11- to 19-year-school and to fully consult on the UTC proposal which has not been explained to parents and the local community in Reading.”

He went on: “Under the Tory-led coalition national policy approach of blocking local authorities having any say in building schools, it is beyond the gift of the council alone to deliver a new secondary school without the leadership and support of both a local group and the Department for Education.

“We stand ready to work with any group that has the vision and passion to bid for an alternative to the UTC.”

He accused the DfE of ‘political snobbery’ towards the council.

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