A PRIVATE school has won its battle with a council for permission to build an extension.

Planning Inspector Philip Crookes has overruled a decision by Ribble Valley Borough Council to refuse permission for a two-storey building at Oakhill College, Whalley.

Officers at Ribble Valley Council had urged members of the planning and development committee to approve the scheme when it was discussed at a meeting last October.

But after hearing objections from a neighbour and Whalley Parish Council, councillors rejected it on the grounds that it was over-intensive and not in keeping with the area. Concerns were also raised about the potential impact a two-storey building would have on a neighbouring cottage.

When the original decision was taken, the school's headteacher, Phil Mahon, vowed to fight the council and take it to appeal.

The building was needed because they were currently relying on temporary classrooms, he said.

In his appeal decision report, the planning inspector approved the school extension.

He said: "The proposed extension would result in a two-storey building of greater height and bulk than exists at present. However, it would be in keeping with the design of the existing buildings."

He added that he did not think the new building would wreck the landscape because it would be obscured by trees. He said that conditions attached to his approval for the scheme, including only using the classrooms nearest a neighbouring cottage during school hours and installing obscure glazing in windows overlooking the property, would mean that objections from residents over loss of privacy would not warrant refusing the scheme. Several conditions will have to be adhered to before work can start.

These include the school producing a plan to show how parents can get youngsters to school other than by car, submitting details of materials to be used in the scheme and making sure an ancient oak tree on the site is protected.

Nobody from the school was available to comment due to the summer break.

Councillors will discuss the decision tomorrow.