COUNCILLORS have welcomed plans for three new schools in Blackburn after they were granted outline permission.

Blackburn with Darwen Council approved the application for a new community school on the site of a golf driving range off Haslingden Road, Blackburn, that will replace facilities at Blakewater College and Crosshill Special School.

The report to the planning and highways committee said the site was chosen after three other potential sites at Blakewater College, Intack bus depot and the former Newfield School in Roman Road were found to be unsuitable.

Councillors also agreed outline plans for new schools to be built on the existing Witton Park and Pleckgate High School sites to replace the existing, outdated buildings.

Councillor Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services, said: "This is another step on the journey towards our vision of the future for Blackburn with Darwen."

The plans are part of the £150m Building Schools for the Future programme, which aims to build, replace or model nine of the borough's high schools by 2016. Pleckgate High School will be one of the first to be built, with work due to start in early 2010.