RESIDENTS have blocked plans for a new primary school playground -- for now.

Planning chiefs have deferred an application to build a tarmac play area and basketball court at Roe Lee Park Primary School in Emerald Avenue, Roe Lee, Blackburn, after neighbouring homeowners objected.

Local education authority Blackburn with Darwen Council wants to create the play area on an existing grassed site, and the basketball court, surrounded by a three-metre high fence, on a playing field.

It would be used as a 'quiet area' for pupils not wanting to play football during break times, according to a spokesman for the school.

He added that the existing playing fields are only available for about two months in the year and that the new project would create more space for youngsters.

But members of the Roe Lee Park Residents Association say the school has sufficient facilities and it has submitted a 53-signature petition to stop the project.

A spokesman for the group said: "There are already problems in the evenings, when children climb over the gates and play football. We think that the proposed area is going to encourage more children to congregate and cause a nuisance. We also think the fence will be an eyesore."

The spokesman highlighted the case of an elderly man, who lives in nearby Highbank, who has had to pay £500 for new fencing after the old one was wrecked by youngsters continually clambering over to get their ball after playing on the school's grounds.

His new guttering has also been wrecked by people playing gold on the site. "It will exacerbate juvenile nuisance problems prevalent in the area and effect the area in a detrimental way."

A spokesman for the school said in a council planning report: "The basketball court will provide a hard surface play area, away from buildings with a lot of windows.

"An out-of-school club, which operates here, will also benefit, especially during the holidays. It should also help to eradicate the difficulties experienced by residents."

Councillors sitting on the planning and highways committee voted to defer the scheme while further consultation is carried out. Residents will speak at the next meeting, due to be held in August.