A SCHOOL for up to 400 Islamic girls is planned for the Audley Range area of Blackburn.

The two-storey private school would be built alongside a new car park with access from Nottingham Street and Lambeth Street.

It would open from 9am to 2pm.

The scheme includes 18 teaching areas, a hall and the car park with 19 spaces with a dropping off area .

Twenty full and part time staff would be employed if Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee gives the project the go-ahead on Thursday.

Three residents in the area have written to the school amid fears extra traffic will be created which will in turn congest the roads in the area.

One resident, from Ripon Street, said: "Before this project goes ahead, there has to be assurance that provision is made for any additional traffic to the area, giving details of how the problem will be dealt with."

The site, close to Parkside Mill, was previously used as a garage which closed in 1996 because of persistent vandalism.

Planning officers have advised councillors to give the scheme the green light.

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