PRIMET High School has raised concerns at Pendle Council's plans to earmark an environmental site for houses.

The council wants to develop the site off Highfield Avenue, Foulridge.

But over the past four months students have worked with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers to manage the grounds of the East Lancashire Environment Centre which forms part of the area the council wants for housing.

A report by planning officer Janet Holland says: "The project has been a success and the wildlife areas are benefiting from appropriate management. Work undertaken includes wildflower meadow creation, woodland surveys and pond management. The pond contains newts."

But she adds: "There is no reason to believe that the site is an important biological site and wildlife will find new habitat in the surrounding fields."

The council's Colne area committee is recommended to grant outline permission on Thursday.

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