A BURNLEY special school is set to undergo a £2.2million expansion to ease a growing demand for places.

Holly Grove School, part of Burnley Campus in Barden Lane, could see its number of spaces for pupils rise by 40 per cent, from 50 to 70.

The expansion could begin next September if the consultation process, which starts in a fortnight, goes well.

Burnley Campus includes Thomas Whitham Sixth Form College, Barden Primary School, Holly Grove School, Reedley Hallows Nursery and Children’s Centre, Burnley Campus Library and Burnley and Pendle Faith Centre.

The project will be funded by Lancashire County Council (LCC) Schools Capital Programme and contributions from Barden Primary School and Holly Grove School. An LCC report said: “The most cost-effective method of enlarging the Burnley Campus is likely to involve building additional accommodation for Barden Primary, which will release existing accommodation, much of it already equipped with specialist fixtures and fittings, for Holly Grove School.

“Early estimates of the full expansion programme are around £2.2million, funded with £1.8million from the existing capital programme and £0.4million contributions from partners for additional accommodation over the LCC offer.”

The expansion is being considered after some classes at Holly Grove were described as ‘larger than desirable’.

The report, by Louise Taylor, LCC’s interim executive director for children and young people, added: “Because of the overcrowded conditions at the Burnley Campus, there are also timetabling difficulties around some of the shared accommodation.

“Holly Grove School has the demand to admit more pupils and has had to refuse entry to some pupils recently due to the accommodation difficulties.

“It is envisaged that this demand will continue in the future and it is suggested that the school should have a revised approved number of 70 with effect from 1 September 2014.”