THE schools row will rumble on in Colchester, after a decision not to sell a vital piece of land was put off.

A meeting of Colchester Council strategic overview and scrutiny panel voted to send the decision back to the cabinet to be looked at again.

It has been claimed that the £130 million government grant for the schools’ project is dependant on an access road being built alongside Philip Morant School.

Watched by about 25 members of the public, leader of council Anne Turrell faced a grilling by the committee, with several members saying refusal to allow the road to be built would effectively undermine the business case for the grant.

She vehemently denied this, repeatedly stating that she is not against the £130 million investment but that it has not been confirmed to her by the Department for Schools that the land is necessary for the grant.

“It is down to Essex County Council to prepare a sound business case,” she insisted.

Chairing last night’s meeting, Christopher Arnold said: “The cabinet need to take a strategic view of the issue, not a local view.”

FULL REPORT IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE