A SPECIAL school that was earmarked for a £6million rebuild under a now defunct schools building scheme has unveiled new expansion plans.

Tor View Community Special School, Haslingden, was set to benefit from Government cash as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

But funding was withdrawn last year and the school has been forced to find new ways of expansion.

A consultation is now underway to expand pupil numbers from 80 to 140, including the provision of 12 places for children and young people requiring intensive support.

Lynn Mappin, environment director for children and young people at Lancashire County Coun- cil, said: “The proposal is to remove the temporary facilities, reinstate the playground that was lost, and locate the Intensive Support Centre within the permanent buildings currently occupied by the school’s post-16 students.

“In order to do this, it is proposed to acquire the adjacent site of the former Ewood Day Centre and Homewood View Residential Home for adults and redevelop it to relocate the post-16 accommodation.

“It is proposed to remodel and refurbish Ewood Day Centre, and to demolish Homewood View, which is in poor condition, and use the area for school car parking and drop-off facilities.

“The existing car park and drop off facilities are extremely congested at school opening and closing times.”

Costs have yet to be revealed, but county council bosses said it could be contained with the capital programme for 2008-2011, although further phases of work are likely to require some borrowing.

A consultation is now under way before planning permission is sought.