A FORMER teacher in Haverfordwest has hit out at the potential siting of the town’s new secondary school following fears the ‘preferred option’ will not be the most suitable.

Gelly James, a long serving sports teacher at Sir Thomas Picton School, has said he fears that Pembrokeshire County Council’s ‘preferred option’ for the new school – that may be named Haverfordia VC High School - is at the Tasker Milward site.

This, claims Mr James, is because of its proximity to Pembrokeshire College and “the obsession by those in power to force all students to take their Alevels there.”

Next week's Cabinet agenda confirms that the Tasker Milward site is the council's preferred option.

Mr James argues that the STP site would be better suited as it is larger, has “superb sports facilities” including running track, tennis courts, astro turf and squash courts, it has a large main hall with lighting and sound equipment and the capacity to be extended.

He believes the Taskers site is too small, without potential for expansion, and sports facilities are across a busy road.

“A few years ago the college bought a very narrow strip of land that can link their campus to Scarrowscant Lane. This will allow students to walk between sites in minutes,” said Mr James.

“You would think that when deciding where to site the new school the overriding aim would be to build where the future generations of our town could enjoy the best facilities possible, in an area large enough to accommodate the expected 1500-1800 capacity,” he added.

A recent school newsletter, from the temporary Governing body, said that a decision on a permanent site for the new school is due to be made next month.

From September next year both existing sites will be used by the new 11 to 19 school.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council reiterated that “no decision has been made yet”.

Council’s Cabinet is due to discuss the potential new name and site for the 11 to 19 school at its meeting on Monday, November 27.