RE-SUBMITTED plans to build a new sports hall at a Rossendale school look set to be approved despite a second wave of objections from local residents.

Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Glen Road, Waterfoot, wants to build the two or three-storey hall to address its shortage of sports facilities.

The school reduced the size of the proposed sports hall by 208 square meters after concerns that the building would be over-dominant compared to surrounding buildings.

The dining room, which is too small for the number of pupils at the school, could be moved into the existing sports hall and the current dining room turned into a new sixth form centre.

The school's planning application is due to be decided by members of Rossendale Council's Development Control Committee tomorrow.

Borough planning officers have recommended that the plans be approved despite receiving letters from residents living near the school opposing the development.

The objectors are concerned that the new building will result in a loss of privacy and a loss of light for their properties.

But in a report to the committee planning officers it states that planning permission for a sports hall was granted in August 2000.

Brian Sheasby, Rossendale's planning manager, said: "It would be larger than the surrounding residential properties. However, as it would be sited within the existing school grounds, the scale is considered acceptable."