A ROW has broken out after a £33 million funding package was announced for a new education campus in Whitehaven.

Celebrations have taken place as cash has been secured to rebuild St Benedict’s and Mayfield on one site and new sports facilities.

And these artist impressions are a first look at what the campus could look like.

But, Bright Tribe Trust, which runs Whitehaven Academy, has expressed its “extreme disappointment” that it will not be getting a share of the cash.

Stewart Young, Cumbria County Council leader, told The Whitehaven News : “The concept of the campus embraces the three existing schools: Mayfield, St Benedict’s and Whitehaven Academy. We envisage all three working together.

“This particular capital project is for Mayfield and St Benedict’s. Whitehaven Academy is pursuing funding for its part in the campus project.”

He said the original vision was one building for all three schools, but that evolved into a “two-school solution” when Whitehaven School became an academy through the Bright Tribe Trust.

But Gary Kelly, director of schools, Bright Tribe Trust, said: “We have not been formally notified of the announcement about The Whitehaven Academy’s apparent exclusion from the Whitehaven campus plans so this comes as a surprise to the Trust and the school.”

He said the Trust has made it clear it is committed to the project adding it was “particularly disappointing that, as the school in Whitehaven with the most pressing requirements for improvements to facilities and buildings, we have not been included in these plans”.

Mr Kelly added: “We are also of the view the £33million funding available was significant enough to ensure all parties in these discussions could benefit fairly from this community fund.”

He said the Trust has pursued significant investment in school premesis as part of the project and separate central government funding.

He claimed any funds secured would have been committed to developing the campus project.

Funders and representatives from Cumbria County Council, Copeland Council and Copeland MP Jamie Reed met last week to discuss plans for Mayfield and St Benedict’s.

They said both schools will be built on the playing field behind the existing St Benedict’s School. The site will feature teaching facilities for both schools with shared facilities. The campus entrance will be via Moresby Road.

The proposal also includes new community sports provision on the campus and new and refurbished facilities at Whitehaven Sports Centre.

A detailed planning phase can now take place, including consultation starting in September. Building work on the campus could start next summer, with it opening in 2018.

Mr Reed said: “These investments will be transformative for Whitehaven and for thousands of young people and their families now and in the future. It’s an enormous step forward. New schools, a new hospital, new nuclear investments. We’re building a new and exciting future and our best days are ahead of us.

“It’s a remarkable project, many doubted we could achieve it, but we don’t stop here – there’s more to be done. I’m personally grateful to all of the partners for backing the vision.”

Cash will come from the following: Nuclear partners £17.5million, Copeland Community Fund £5million, Britain’s Energy Coast £7.5million and Cumbria County Council £2.8million.

Coun Young said: “Assembling a funding package of this size in the current financial climate is an incredible achievement. With the new campus, the potential is there to really transform the education of young people in Whitehaven and improve the health and well-being of the whole community.”

Mike Starkie, Copeland’s mayor, said this is “a great investment in education and sports facilities for the people of Copeland”.

During tours of the sites, issues were raised about drainage issues on St Benedict’s field and a small multi-use dining area. Facilities at Mayfield have been “added to” since it opened. Rooms are multi-functional and problems include narrow corridors.

Both schools are expected to be demolished once the new-build has been completed.