PEOPLE living near the proposed site of one of Pendle's new 'super schools' will have their say on the plans next week.

Residents are concerned Lancashire County Council's plans to build Marsden Heights Community College on Bent Head playing fields will take away Brierfield's only remaining green space.

Now Pendle Council has called a public meeting to make sure residents' views are heard.

Mum-of-three Bronwen Stronach, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, said: "We're not opposed to the building of these new schools, but Bent Head is the only green space in Brierfield and they want to build on it.

"Loads of people use the field. People walk their dogs on it and Brierfield Celtic use it. I've got three young children, and kids come from far and wide to play on it.

"All the county council are saying is that it's a school for the future, they can't come up with any reason for not extending Edge End.

"They say they're going to knock it down and put playing fields there, but Edge End is in Nelson, not in Brierfield. Brierfield and Nelson are two separate places."

Marsden Heights Community College would replace Mansfield and Edge End High Schools as part of the multi-million pound Building Schools for the Future project.

The building would be two to three-stories, cater for 1,050 pupils, have a synthetic sports pitch with floodlighting and ball stop fencing, tennis and games courts. The existing grass pitches would be refurbished and car parking will be provided.

The school would be accessed from Edge End Lane, off Walverden Road, and pedestrian and cycle access would be created from Halifax Road and Mansfield Crescent.

Grassed sports pitches with associated changing room and car parking would be provided on the former Edge End site.

Coun Tonia Barton said Pendle councillors were worried residents had not been consulted enough on the plans.

She said: "We have been asked for our views and felt we were fully incumbent to hold a meeting.

"I don't know what the residents think.

"I'm sure there are concerns. There are definitely worries about traffic."

Pendle Council will submit residents' views as part of its response to Lancashire County Council's planning application.

Lancashire County Council spokesman Stephen Axon said there had been lots of consultation already: "A meeting was held in Pendle in early December where members of the public could find out more about the project and speak to officers. Around 500 leaflets were also sent out to local residents. Officers visited the Brierfield Neighbourhood Action Group and the District Liaison Committee. Details are also available via the internet."

But he added: "We are in favour of any opportunity which allows residents to discuss these exciting plans."

And he stressed plans to develop the Edge End site into playing fields had been agreed with Pendle Council.

The meeting will be held at Edge End High School, Hibson Road, on January 11 at 7pm.