Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp has expressed disappointment over the location of a new primary school planned for the town.

Lancashire County Council has submitted a planning application for the new school to be built on playing fields at West Craven Technology College - but Coun Whipp is asking the county to “reconsider, re-think and re-site” the new school.

“I’m fully in favour of a new school to replace Barnoldswick’s crumbling church school on York Street, but the new school needs to be in the right place,” said Coun Whipp. “I’m disappointed that the county council are pressing ahead with plans for the school on the playing fields in spite of local opposition.

“More suitable land nearby has been reserved for a new primary school for decades, but the county appear hell bent on extending Barnoldswick’s built boundary into the town’s green spaces.

“The proposal would lead to a loss of playing fields without any compensating improvement to sports facilities.

“Although an all-weather pitch is shown on the plans, this is an unfunded possible future development and doesn’t form part of the planning application.

“Another big worry for Barnoldswick is the future use of the land previously earmarked for the new school off Clifford Street.

“Last year, the county council asked to change the designation of this land to housing.

“Such a development would create awful access issues in the Rainhall Road and Harrison Street area of town and destroy a green wedge in an area of high-density terraced housing.”