SCHOOLS in Flintshire are set to continue teaching children in portable classrooms despite concerns being raised.

Renewed permission has been granted for Flintshire Council to use temporary buildings to house pupils at a number of primary and secondary schools across the county, some of which have been in place for 17 years.

The proposals have been greeted with mixed views, including from town councillors in Buckley, over whether they’re an appropriate place to educate youngsters.

Mayoress of Buckley Cllr Carol Ellis said she opposed the idea and had particular concerns about pupils’ welfare during hot weather.

However, the green light has now been given for a number of schools to renew their use to provide additional capacity, including at Drury and Southdown primary schools.

Cllr Ellis said: “I think they were always going to be approved, but what we are trying to say is the schools need more money from Welsh Government and we need to be looking at expanding the schools really.

“Especially with the growth in housing that’s due for Buckley, if were going to have more houses it stands to reason that we’re going to have more children.

“They’re a temporary structure and some of them are about 17 years old, I don’t think they’re ideal at all.

“Technology’s come along a lot in 17 years so they’re not going to be state of the art, air conditioned units that you can get today.”

Applications for portacabins have also been approved in respect of Argoed High School in Mold, Ewloe Green CP School and Castell Alun High School in Hope.

A poll conducted by The Leader newspaper revealed that readers were split down the middle over the plans.

Out of the 70 people who voted, 54 per cent said schools should be allowed to use the temporary classrooms while 46 per cent said they should not.