A PROJECT to rebuild a Rossendale primary school on green belt land has attracted criticism from a national conservation charity.

Campaigners have expressed disquiet about Lancashire County Council's proposals to resite Waterfoot Primary from its current home in Thornfield Avenue to a field behind Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, off Booth Road, both Waterfoot.

Now the Open Spaces Society, based in Oxfordshire, has voiced its unease at the county council's intentions for the green haven.

Kate Ashbrook, the society's general secretary, said: "This open space is a vital green lung for the many surrounding communities .

"It is much-enjoyed by local people for quiet recreation. A popular public footpath which crosses the site would be buried in concrete.

"This green space is a rare survivor amid urban development, with its lovely open feeling and magnificent views across the valley to the hills beyond.

"It would be tragic if it were to be destroyed by development.

"We have urged the county council to abandon its plans and to save this open space for the community to enjoy forever."

Education chiefs have tried to draw up blueprints for an eco-friendly school, despite the potential for green fields to be lost.

Three large wind turbines would provide the energy needs for the new £4.5million Waterfoot Primary, it is envisaged.

The building itself will be comprised of 10 classrooms, a hall which doubles as a dining room, a library, ICT suite, changing rooms and a kitchen.

Waterfoot itself was merged with Cloughfold Primary two years ago as part of a round of education shake-ups across the valley.

Neighbours have also expressed concerns about traffic generation around the new site but Waterfoot supporters are drawing up a travel plan, including a special bus service, walking buses and improved pedestrian links, to overcome such difficulties.

Commenting on concerns about the location, a Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "The site for the possible development of the school was identified for community use as part of the Rossendale District Local Plan in 1995.

"This means that it has been through the District Plan's rigorous consultation process, which will have taken into account that a proportion of the area is green belt.

"It is important to preserve green spaces and to maintain and introduce new ones wherever possible.

"However, it is essential to stress that we are still in the consultation process on this development and that there are no hard and fast decisions at this stage."