CHILDREN should not be taught in temporary classrooms - particularly during the summer, a councillor has said.

In recent weeks a number of planning applications to renew permission for the siting of school 'classroom units' have been lodged with Flintshire Council.

Two such schemes - one for a classroom at Southdown CP School and another at Drury Primary School - were discussed by members of Buckley Town Council on Tuesday.

Mayoress of Buckley Cllr Carol Ellis told the meeting she opposed the idea of children being educated in portable buildings.

She said: "It is about time we had some Welsh Government money to improve all schools, especially where we have children being taught in inappropriate schoolrooms - imagine the heat."

Cllr John Thornton said he had concerns about how many children could come to the town in the near future, given the number of pending planning proposals for housing schemes in Buckley.

He said: "We're going to need a lot of [portable buildings] because there is no room to cater for them. We need to be looking at new schools."

Speaking about the Southdown CP School plans Cllr Mike Peers, chair of the town council's planning committee, told the meeting: "The facility has been relisted to provide additional teaching accommodation. This classroom has been on site since 2001."

Buckley mayor Cllr David Ellis said he felt the additional room at the school had been 'a long time temporary'.

Speaking to the Leader after the meeting Cllr Ellis added: "Some concerns were also raised about the level of fire protection such temporary classrooms offer including whether the units are connected to the school's fire systems."

Town councillors agreed not to object to the classrooms despite the concerns, as to not have them could be more detrimental to the schools.

It was agreed however that Martin Wright, clerk to the town council, be asked to write to Flintshire Council raising the point about the suitability of temporary classrooms 'in this day and age'.

Cllr Ellis added after the meeting: "Southdown is not the only school. This is in general across Flintshire, but a 'temporary' room is supposed to be temporary - 17 years is not temporary.

"They are probably going to be very hot and uncomfortable for the children I would have thought."

Applications to renew planning permission for temporary classrooms have also been lodged with Flintshire Council in respect of the following schools: Argoed High School in Mold, Ewloe Green CP School in Ewloe Green and Castell Alun High School in Hope.

Flintshire Council has been approached for a comment about the concerns.

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