Campaign to stop relocation of Priory School

They say that the field is the only available green space for children living in the area to use, and that they will be forced to play on the streets or remain indoors when the school is built.

Now a meeting is being held by the East End Residents Association tonight to discuss the plans and any alternatives that could be put in place.

Maureen Harding, whose Bywell Avenue home backs onto the field, said that although stopping the school being built on legal grounds would be difficult, people were hopeful that some modifications could be made.

She said: "We had more that 100 people at a demonstration, and people just weren't aware of the scale of it. We think there might be even more at the meeting. We are looking to build up support because we aren't getting any from the council. We did ask the council and the architect to come along and discuss the plans, but they have said they are unable to attend."

Mother of three Maureen added that the invitation to officials to come and discuss the scheme remained open. She said: "Stopping the school being built is going to be difficult, but we want to look at ways the scheme might be amended. We haven't been properly consulted and there are still lots of issues. At the end of the day it is the children living in the area who are going to suffer."

Construction work on the school will begin later this year, with the council insisting that all consultation rules had been observed.

A spokesman said: "Local people were given the opportunity to share their views through the statutory consultation and planning processes for the Hexham Priory proposal.

"The decision to go ahead was made in February 2008 after the consultation results showed overwhelming support for the proposal and planning approval was given in April 2008.

"As well as providing facilities for community use, the new school building will provide enhanced facilities and mean that fewer children with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties will be forced to travel outside of Northumberland for their education. There are no plans to consult further on this scheme as this building project will be going ahead in July."