A NEW school for challenging children has been given the green light by councillors despite concerns from nearby residents about anti-social behaviour and parking.

The new Eden School for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties will be built next to the existing similar The Heights Free School, on Heys Lane in Fernhurst.

The school would cater for up to 60 pupils from Key Stage Two to Key Stage Four, with children aged between seven and 16.

It will form a campus with the existing school on an adjacent unkempt grassed parcel of land.

The site was previously a similar local authority school before The Heights Free School opened in September last year, independent of council controls.

Fernhurst ward Tory councillor, John Slater told Blackburn with Darwen Borough Planning and Highways Committee they should block the scheme.

Branding the scheme as a “horrendous” prospect for residents, he produced photographs he claimed showed criminal damage nearby house.

He also produced pictures of poor parking blocking the narrow Heys Lane.

Cllr Slater said: “The residents have to contend with this sort of poor parking every day.

“They have to put up with anti-social behaviour regularly.

“It is absolutely horrendous for the residents.

“I do not believe the should have to put up with all this hassle.”

The existing Heights school - sponsored by all the secondary schools, special schools and academies in the borough - provides for up to 120 vulnerable learners aged from nine to 19, finding difficulty in mainstream schools.

Planning officer Gavin Prescott said the 21 parking spaces being provided were adequate for a staff of 15, parents and three minibuses.

He said outdoor and indoor recreation space also met the guidelines for free schools.

Committee chairman and Sunnyhurst Labour councillor Dave Smith said anti-social behaviour was not a matter for the committee.

Tory group leader Mike Lee and Liberal Democrat spokesman moved refusal of the plan on traffic grounds.

The committee approved the new detached two-storey school with a requirement that a management plan to submitted to the council regarding pupil behaviour, traffic and parking.

Applicant Rob Brocklebank had no comment to make after the decision.

Roe Lee Labour councillor Phil Riley said: “I would remind Coun Slater that this is a free school set up under government legislation that restrict the council’s ability to have any effective control over its activities.”