PARENTS and teachers today claimed that a proposed staffroom and toilet block could destroy a conservation area for special school pupils.

County Hall has given the go-ahead for the new development at Dame Evelyn Fox School, Blackburn. But furious staff at neighbouring Blackamoor School, on the same site, are worried that the building could replace a conservation meadow which is a vital teaching tool.

Jenny Sykes, chairman of Blackamoor Parent Teacher Association, said a petition was being signed by pupils, teachers and parents.

She said: "This is vindictive. Legally there is nothing we can do but morally it is wrong."

The conservation area, which includes a pond and a grassed area, was built with the help of the Groundwork Trust three years ago.

Jenny added: "Letters of objection have been sent to the chief planning officer at County Hall but to no avail. The council owns the land and says it can do what it wants.

"We believe there are alternative sites but they have decided to put it on the meadow.

"The irony is that the county has invited the school to attend an environmental conference because it has a conservation area."

A county spokesman said: "The scheme is definitely going ahead but the planning officers have assured it will not replace any conservation area."

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