RESIDENTS living near the proposed site of a new special school in Burnley say they fear it could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Lancashire County Council have approved a scheme for a 40-place school on the site of what is currently Cherry Fold Primary School, in Swindon Street.

But locals fear the facility will lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour and juvenile nuisance.

Plans for a new secondary school for children with a range of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties have been given the green light by the school organisation committee, a Lancashire County Council sub-committee.

The school is expected to open in summer 2005.

Resident Bernard Cregg, 65, of Nairne Street, said: "The council did not consult local people about this school - they just went ahead with it.

"I wrote to them objecting on behalf of local residents but received no invitation to the meeting where this was discussed.

"We will certainly look at whether we can appeal against this decision."

Trinity ward councillor Tony Lambert added: "I have grave concerns about problem children from all over East Lancashire coming to this site. There are already problems with children and this will just make it worse."

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "A full and proper consultation was carried out before plans for the EBD school were approved.

"We published public notices in two local newspapers, posted notices at the area education office, local library, district council office, at the school and in the street.

"Anyone who wished to object was able to do so for two months before the official objection period closed.

"It is the responsibility of the county council to provide education for all pupils in Lancashire and we are pleased that we are able to develop facilities which will provide a good educational environment for these pupils' needs.

"The county council wishes to provide for the next generation of pupils nearer to home instead of them having to travel out of the area."

At present, pupils who need this type of school have to travel out of the area and often have to attend independent schools or schools in a different LEA.

The new school will predominantly cater for pupils from Burnley but will also offer places to young people from Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The existing school will be extensively re-modelled to provide for the curriculum needs with work expected to start towards the end of this year. It is an interim measure and will eventually be relocated as part of the 'Building Schools for the Future' bid.

Pupils from the current Cherry Fold Primary School will move into a new building this summer.