5th October 2025
Stockport Council is facing questions from Freedom of Information campaigners after pressing ahead with plans to build the new primary school on the Vale View site, despite warnings about potential safety concerns. Critics argue that an alternative location at the Fir Tree site offered a safer, uncontaminated option with ample space for future expansion and fewer traffic problems. That was taken for housing land instead.
The Vale View site, previously flagged for environmental risks, has sparked concern over potential exposure to contaminants. Local campaigners say that these risks could have been avoided entirely by selecting the Fir Tree location, which they describe as “perfectly suited” for a new school.
Council representatives, however, maintain that Vale View was chosen after extensive consultations and feasibility studies, citing factors including proximity to the local community and existing infrastructure. “We understand the concerns,” a council spokesperson said, “but our decision considered all aspects of accessibility, planning requirements, and long-term sustainability.”
Parents remain anxious. “We were told safety comes first,” said one campaigner. “Yet it feels like convenience outweighed caution. The Fir Tree site had everything we needed—space, safety, and easy access. Why was it overlooked?”
The Fir Tree Site.
“The answer is none”.
