https://theromileygazette.substack.com/publish/posts/published
18th January 2026
An internal email exchange from March 2006 appears to show that concerns about Building Bulletin 99 (BB99) space standards were discussed by senior officers ahead of a Harcourt Street school Project Board meeting, despite later claims that no such concerns had been documented.
In an email sent by Andy MacKenzie to Chris Woolard, reference was made to a “proposed increase in the BB99 areas” and uncertainty over how this would affect staff rooms and reception areas. The email stressed the need for confidentiality, stating that the issue should only become public knowledge at a later Project Board meeting.
A related email the same day referred to a revised brief requiring the school to be built to a 2.5-form entry size and no larger, noting that this could require temporary accommodation.
In 2008, Stockport Council stated in correspondence that it held no documents showing fears over BB99 standards being raised at Project Board level. Mrs Oliver argued that the existence of these emails showed that such concerns were known internally well before the school was completed.
She maintained that the school later proved too small for demand and that additional capacity had to be provided at significant public expense. Mrs Oliver argued that the email evidence ruled out any suggestion of an innocent oversight.
