TEMPORARY classrooms in the Vale are coming under scrutiny following Evesham Town Council's consistent opposition to them.

At a recent town council planning meeting, members refused to give their approval to Worcestershire County Council's intention to retain mobile classrooms in several schools in Evesham.

Local councillors know they have no power over the county's decision because it is the deciding authority on school buildings.

But objections are always lodged because they do not consider mobile classrooms suitable for children to be taught in on a long-term basis.

Councillor Francis Smith said: "As a council we do not agree with mobile classrooms and should keep saying so, even though we know that the county will keep them anyway."

Chairman of the county's planning committee, Derek Prodger, said: "As a county we do not advocate mobile classroom for long periods of time.

"We have a certain amount of Government funding for school buildings and extensions and many schools throughout the county have benefited by more build."

He explained that, in order for schools to get permanent classrooms, head teachers were required to prove a long-term need.

Coun Prodger said: "We would need to know that high intake figures were not just a blip which would level out in a few years' time.

"I will ask the officers concerned to give me a report about the mobile classroom situation in the Vale of Evesham and will look seriously into those which have been at a school for more than five years. Long-term mobile sites should be made permanent."