Following the public outcry after first being reported in The Leader Newspaper, the Orihuela council would appear to have finally seen sense as it is now said to be seeking an alternative site for the New School number 20, previously intended to be built on Zenia Boulevard Car Park.
However, the change of mind now threatens to delay the construction of the prefabricated classrooms that will temporarily house the educational centre.
UPDATED: New La Zenia location of Orihuela Costa school will cause traffic chaos
The Town Planning Councillor, José Aix, has said that the land that is now being considered is located in PAU 3, also known as the carretera de Villamartín Sur, a nearly fully built-up area located immediately south of the shopping centre, and already full of townhouses and with a park.
“The option of the Zenia Boulevard cannot be made according to urban criteria,” explained the deputy mayor, who also said that the commitment of the council has not changed, and that the change in plans will not change the forecast that the centre will start open in September and, provide immediate relief to the other two schools on the Orihuela Costa: Los Dolses and Playas de Orihuela. Both centres are currently under extreme pressure from the number of students, which have increased with many displaced by the war in Ukraine as well as many from Russia.
The Ministry of Education has already awarded the assembly, rental and disassembly of the prefabricated classrooms to Alquileres Barceló Sáez SL at a cost of 1.2 million euros and an execution period of two months. The rental contract for the prefabricated units has a duration of 36 months with the possibility of extending them for 12 more.
When CEIP Number 20 is built in brick, its total capacity will be 450 students with a ratio of 25 students per classroom. The intention is that it caters for both infants and junior students which will mean an investment of 9 million euros, financed entirely by Valencia.
Meanwhile, the provisional facilities, according to the Ministry, will have a maximum ratio of 20 students per classroom.
The new CEIP will be created by breaking down the Los Dolses and Playas de Orihuela schools, hosting a complete line from each centre. Therefore, both the students and the teaching staff of both centres to which these lines correspond will be transferred to the new school.
