A PLAN to create 60 new places at a Clayton-le-Moors primary school is a step near fruition after councillors backed the scheme.

The county council is looking to provide more places at Mount Pleasant CP, Earl Street, in preparation for an expected rise in demand from the town's new Sefton Farm estate.

Members of Hyndburn Council's development services committee were asked to discuss County Hall plans to build a new assembly hall on the site which would free the existing hall for conversion into two extra classrooms. Despite calls for more time to visit the site and discuss issues with the school's neighbours, the committee decided to raise no objections.

A report to members stated county chiefs had received a petition signed by 42 residents who had complained the new building was too close to their houses.

Homeowners claimed the one-storey extension would block out their light and also felt local roads would be jammed by an increase in school traffic.

Planning chiefs advised councillors to object to the proposals because noise from the hall would disturb residents in Duke Street.

Coun Tim O'Kane called for a site visit to consider wider issues such as the effect of more traffic.

But committee chairman Coun Jim Dickinson said it was vital members approved the plan while the money was available from the county.

Coun Janet Storey added: "Children can't get into schools in Clayton because of the extra houses going up. Mount Pleasant is the only school in town which takes pupils from any race or religious denomination and we should accept this offer."

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