A NEW multi-million pound school campus is a step closer to being built after councillors approved the demolition of the former Habergham High school.

The razing of the Byron Street building in Burnley will allow for a three-storey free school development to get under way.

Councillors approved the demolition of the building on Thursday after concerns mounted about the stability of the site, since a concrete under the old school covering a mine shaft was discovered to be deteriorating.

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The new building will be home to Burnley High School, which is currently based at Parkhill Business Park, and will have space for up to 650 pupils with provision for a sixth form.

The school, which is run by the Chapel Street family of schools, opened with 33 pupils and is due to grow by around 90 students in September.

A report submitted to Burnley Council said: “The site is unstable due to mining voids beneath the existing building.”

A government grant is expected to be used to make the site safe as well as construct the new school.

Paul Thomas, spokesman for Burnley High School said: “We are pleased the council has granted permission to demolish the former Habergham High School building. It is the first hurdle out of the way.

“Our overall aim is to have the school built by mid to late September 2016.”

Work is due to be undertaken during a 16-week period starting June 8.

Site work will be carried out on Monday’s and Friday’s from 8am to 6pm, on Saturday from 8am to 1pm, with no work undertaken on Sunday’s and bank holidays.