PLANS for a £16.6million one-site Nelson and Colne College campus have been given the green light.

Residents were worried about increased traffic and the scheme's effect on the M65, while Barrowford councillors said they should have the opportunity to consider the plans which were decided by Nelson Committee.

Speaking at the committee meeting, college principal Dr Alison Birkinshaw said it would be a complete disaster' if the plans were not passed because the college would not get funding in March needed for work to begin in April.

Residents and councillors said they did not want to stand in the way of the college plans, but were concerned about traffic.

Chairman of Barrowford Committee, Coun Linda Crossley, said: "I travel past that college twice a day. I've altered the time I go to work because otherwise it's horrendous. You have to wait 20 minutes to get on to Gisburn Road. That's at the moment.

"When it's extended it will be backed up to Barnoldswick, if we're not careful. I can't see anything that addresses the problem. Junction 13 is already considered unsafe.

"What is this application going to do to it?

"I don't think real consideration has been given to the traffic problem."

Planning manager Neil Watson said there had been 18 months of discussions about how to improve the roundabout, and Lanc-ashire County Council's highways department had not objected to the scheme.

Others felt that turning down the application would damage the college, and Pendle as a whole.

Asked what the effect of the plans being turned down would be, Dr Birkinshaw replied: "It will be a complete disaster if it doesn't go ahead.

"The college will lose an enormous amount of money. We wouldn't be able to offer outstanding education.

"It would be a complete tragedy."

Nelson and Colne College plans to build a new sports hall and sixth form centre, demolish an engineering block, partially demolish the refectory, kitchen and outbuildings, create car parking, and modify access to the site off Scotland Road.

Today, Dr Birkinshaw said there were exciting times ahead for the college.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted and it means we can press ahead with our plans for our new college, hopefully being on site in late April.

"We have submitted our final bid to the Learning and Skills Council for final funding for the project and anticipate a positive response.

"We'll hear from that at the end of March.

"The constructors are in place, designers are in place.

"It's all very exciting."