ONE of Burnley's new "super schools" will be built on a flood plain -- putting neighbouring homes at risk, residents have claimed.

People fighting plans to build the replacement for Towneley School on Lower Towneley Playing Fields believe the new buildings will take away natural drainage and increase the risk of flooding to their homes.

At Fulledge Action Community Team's annual general meeting they addressed their concerns to project director Janet Newton.

FACT chairwoman Linda White said: "If they elevate the plain to build the school they are going to take away natural drainage. It's a serious concern."

Mrs Newton tried to allay fears by stressing that the Environment Agency would be fully involved with the plans and would introduce measures to prevent flooding.

She said: "The whole area, the existing school and houses, are currently on the flood plain. We would have to liaise with the Environment Agency to bring forward plans to make sure we meet national requirements."

She added that waterlogged playing fields would actually be improved and made available for community use.

But locals also fear the project will spoil a popular area for walkers and wildlife lovers and FACT is organising a borough-wide petition to protest.

Following consultation other site options, including Fulledge playing fields and parts of Burnley Wood, have been ruled out.

Mrs Newton said: "We want the best possible facilities we can have for the students, families and communities of Burnley. "These schools will be the envy of the country."

The Building Schools for the Future programme will see eight of Burnley's high schools, and three in Nelson, replaced by new, much larger "super schools".

On Thursday a County Council committee approved the radical £250million education shake-up.