£5m Blackburn Muslim primary school plan to get go-ahead - despite dozens of objections

An artist’s impression of how the new school will look

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TAUHEEDUL Trust’s proposals to build a new £5million Muslim primary school in Blackburn are set for approval tomorrow despite dozens of objections to the scheme.They include the nearby independent Westholme School and landowner Lord Alvingham.A group of 70 residents have written letters of objection to Blackburn with Darwen Council and have the backing of Livesey with Pleasington Tory councillor Imtiaz Ali.They are concerned about the impact of extra traffic and parking on road safety from the proposed new 630-pupil Olive Primary.The borough planning committee has been recommended by officers to approve the proposal with strict conditions when it meets tomorrow.The Tauheedul Education Trust wants to build the a two-storey complex on Meins Road, Beardwood, on fields next to its girls academy.Under the plan, pupil numbers will grow from an initial 240 to 630, with a total of 79 teaching and other staff.The school, currently in Bicknell Street, Shear Brow, has offered to pay the council £40,000 to improve 11 football pitches at Pleasington Playing Fields to compensate for the loss of an old-fashioned Redgra sports pitch to build the school.He adds: “The thoroughfare is already at capacity and the further increase for access for another 630 pupils is a formula begging for an accident or worse.”Mr Brian Marsden, chair of governors at Westholme, tells the committee that in his view and that off traffic consultants Sanderson Associates the extra traffic the new school would generate poses ‘serious safety issues for all users of the road’.Lord Alvingham’s agent Richard Cornish says in a letter to councillors: “The primary reason for objection to this planning application is on highways grounds with major concern regarding congestion and highway safety.”The Tauheedul Education Trust said in a statement: “Olive School is delivering outstanding education to children in the area and we want it to be the jewel in the crown of the community.”“We are committed to working closely with local residents and parents now and in the future.”The council’s officers recommend approval with restrictions on the schools hours of use, off-site highways works, a full car parking scheme and a monitored ‘green’ travel plan to reduce traffic congestion on nearby streets.Their report also suggest staggered school hours, traffic calming measures and new pedestrian crossings on Preston New Road and Meins Road and a new footpath to reduce the risk of accidents.