RESIDENTS are calling for planners to return to the drawing board over a new housing development.

They are demanding a better road system, a new primary school and extra community facilities to be included in the 400-house package for Sefton Farm in Clayton-le-Moors.

But locals disagree with Hyndburn Council's proposals to extend Mount Pleasant Primary School and construct two roundabouts in Burnley Road to cope with the extra population. At a recent consultation meeting, Councillor Cath Thom said: "Our schools are already full and there will be more traffic congestion."

Joanne Baron, of Sparth Avenue, a member of Friends of the Earth, attended the meeting as "a concerned mother."

She said: "The county council say they can't promise they will be able to pay for a new school or an extension to an existing one. It is a terrible situation."

Clayton Civic Society chairman Ian Leaver agreed: "We know that the development is signed and sealed but we want the best deal possible."

Phil Barwood, Hyndburn's head of planning, insisted: "More facilities should follow on completion of the development and there would be an increase in trade for local shops."

Clive Lockwood, Lancashire's buildings and development manager, said: "Clayton's three schools are all up to capacity at the moment. St Mary's RC has 12 pupils too many, Mount Pleasant is two under capacity and All Saints' C of E has six places.

"Unfortunately this doesn't warrant a new school being built because the education committee takes all junior schools within a two-mile radius into consideration. There are 190 free places if Great Harwood and Rishton are included."

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