A PLEA has been made to conservation chiefs not to oppose the demolition of around 50 homes as part of plans for a new community school.

More than 400 people in the Whitefield area of Nelson have signed a petition imploring English Heritage to look favourably on bulldozing five terrace blocks.

The site of homes in Appleby Street, Portland Street, MacLeod Street and part of Every Street are needed to accommodate the building project, along with land behind former water board offices.

Members of Whitefield Community Forum fear that if English Heritage protest about the scheme, which would see Whitefield Infants and Lomeshaye Juniors merge, funding for the initiative would move elsewhere.

Lesley Chisnell-Helm, forum chairman, said: “English Heritage’s remit is obviously conservation but we do not want it to be conservation at all costs.

"They are concerned about 50 derelict houses and in an ideal world these houses could be rebuilt elsewhere.

“But we need a school desperately – by 2011 we will not have enough places in Whitefield.

"We really need a primary school and a community hub.”

Part of the problem has been the emergence of a major main under the water board site, requiring the land occupied by the five surrounding blocks to be incorporated into revised plans for the school.

Borough councillors in Nelson have backed the residents’ appeal following talks between the county council and the heritage body.

Coun Asjad Mahmood said: “I am extremely disappointed and angry that yet again English Heritage officials are putting the future of Whitefield residents and their children at risk by putting up hurdles at every opportunity.

“The school site, approved a number of months ago, is an integral part of kick-starting the regeneration of one of the most deprived areas in England.”

County Coun Mohammed Iqbal said: “We will never forgive English Heritage if this multi-million pound investment is lost due to their stubborn attitude.”