THE proposal by Worcestershire County Council to relocate Christopher Whitehead High School is the subject of a forthcoming inquiry, starting on Tuesday, May 18, at County Hall.

Submissions can be received up to six weeks in advance. The volume as well as the content of letters does get taken into account. Local democracy can work!

The advantages of having a more capacious and up-to-date school have been well rehearsed.

However, many people, including ourselves, have doubts about moving such a prime facility from a central to a peripheral location in the community. It is contrary to recent government planning guidelines and could have far-reaching social and environmental disadvantages.

There is also concern that not enough effort has gone into looking at possible improvements on the current site - and furthermore, that providing a glamorous new building will, in any case, address only some of the problems the school faces.

Whatever our views, however, it is important that this inquiry hears them - on one side or another.

Submissions should be sent, quoting reference APP/E 1855/V/03/1125754, to: The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/23, Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol BS1 6PN - the sooner the better.

Representatives should be confined to the pros and cons of relocation as such, and should not include concerns about supermarkets, as this is a separate issue.

CHRIS AND ANGELA MARTIN,

St John's,

Worcester.