Witham MP Priti Patel has demanded answers from the Secretary of State for Education over the proposed cancellation of the new Lodge Farm Primary School in Witham.
The letter to Bridget Philipson MP, the Education Secretary follows the Labour Government’s confirmation that it is minded to cancel the planned new school despite the urgent need for additional school places in the town.
The new school was due to provide 420 primary school places as part of the Redrow Mulberries development in Witham. The new school was due to open in September 2027 with funding for the new school being provided by Section 106 funds because of the new homes that have been built on the site.
In her letter, Priti has directly challenged the Government to publish the evidence behind their decision to cancel the school, as the school would have provided new early years provision and vital school places for children with special needs.
Commenting about the Labour government’s damaging decision to cancel the new school, Priti said:
"Labour's decision to cancel Lodge Farm is unjustified. It smacks of a politically motivated act which has been shrouded in secrecy as there has not been a full evidence-based explanation for the cancellation of the school or even a plan on how the government will now cater for the growing special education needs provision the town urgently needs.
"We have been informed that the decision could be reviewed if new evidence is submitted by Essex County Council by the end of January 2026, but the government has still not given ECC or Attain Academy Trust any details of the review process, or what type of additional information they require to conduct the review or even the grounds by which the decision will be reviewed and the evidence base which will be considered. This process is shambolic and the sheer dishonesty and lack of transparency in the government over their decision making is appalling.
"This is why I have written again to the Secretary of State for Education to demand answers because Labour’s handling of this issue is damming. The education of the next generation of local children is now at risk and we have a Labour government that just doesn’t seem to care.’
