THE protests of dozens of concerned parents and residents has forced Lancashire County Council to withdraw its plans to site a classroom for disruptive teenagers in the grounds of a local primary school.

The protesters says they are pleased the county council has "seen sense" but they are still angry that the authority tried to sneak the plans through.

Local city councillor and school governor at Greatwood Primary,

John Fretwell said he received nearly 100 letters protesting against the plans and said: "People power has won the day."

He added: "This was a hair-brained scheme done in an underhand way without any consultation.

All they had to do was send round a simple leaflet to parents and neighbours setting out their plans and asking for comments instead of lodging a planning application which gave no mention of the intended use for the temporary classroom.

Thankfully the public made an almighty fuss on this one and the county has backed down."

Ward councillor June Ashworth said: "Greatwood Primary was not the right place for this type of facility.

They should be looking for a site that's more accessible and I think it's also good news for the children who would have been sent there."

A county council spokesman explained: "We are in the process of withdrawing our application.

The decision was taken for educational reasons.

We are looking to provide a full time education for these children which is in the interests of the wider community.

"We may have to look at converting existing provision for this use."