School wants to use wasteland (From Barry And District News)

School wants to use wasteland

A BARRY wasteland trashed by vandals could soon become a playground for children.

Jenner Park Primary want to adopt a piece of land behind their yard which, they claim, is being left to fall into rack and ruin.

Now the school at Hannah Street is to apply to the Vale of Glamorgan Council to see if they can clear the park behind their yard and plan it out as a playing area.

Ex-governor Jo Cottle, who has two children, Thomas, 10, and Abigail, 8, said: "I am not sure whether this is correct, but I have been told the park used to belong to the school years ago.

Apparently there used to be a building on the land that housed the canteen for the children and staff.

From what I have heard, when the building was pulled down, the council gave the park to the public.

Now it's filled with rubbish, used as a dog toilet and a meeting place for gangs of teens."

At the moment, the pupils only have their yard and their hall to conduct games lessons.

Head teacher Sue Holmes added: "There have been talks about approaching the Vale council to apply for the land, but nothing has been done.

It would be so much better for the children if there was somewhere close for them to use.

They have to be careful they don't fall when playing in the yard, because the ground is so hard."

For the pupils to take part in an annual sports day, they have to walk next to busy roads to get to Jenner Park.

But if their application is successful, the infants and juniors will only have to walk from the back of the school to their new play area.

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: "Jenner Primary School are welcome to submit an official application to the council for consideration."