VILLAGERS in Pendle have been angered by a proposal to demolish a village school and rebuild it at a new site.

Lancashire County Council has confirmed it is considering rebuilding Laneshaw Bridge Primary School to the north west of the current site in Emmott Lane.

Residents had hoped that the school would be built on a site outside of Emmott Lane.

Although no planning application has been made, villagers have been angered by the proposal, which they say will cause traffic chaos on the already congested lane at school times.

The proposal would see the school knocked down and use as an access way to the new school which would be built on farm land behind the current school.

A car park for residents and school users has been proposed on the site of the south playground.

Jerry Stanford, chairman of Laneshawbridge Parish Council, said: “The location is the best option for Emmott Lane but the general feeling is that it should be built in a different area of the village.

“We are holding a meeting with residents and Lancashire County Council Buildings and Development Officer, Jim Blackburn, and a representative from the school to discuss the proposals.

“The main reason we are against having a site for the school is because of the increased traffic that will be generated in spite of the proposed car park.

“Emmott Lane is already beyond capacity for cars, without another 56 additional cars. I think everyone in the village is of the same mind.

“We will be interested to hear what Jim Blackburn will have to say about the plans, we are hoping that he can provide us with some reassurance.”

The meeting is to take place tonight (tue) at Laneshaw Bridge Methodist Chapel, in Keighley Road, from 7.30 p.m.

Education bosses at the county council last year rubber-stamped the scheme to expand numbers at Laneshawbridge Primary School, in Emmott Lane, by 56 in 2011, after a four-week consultation.

The expansion plans, which will take the school roll to 210 from 154, were unveiled due to an increased demand for places at the village school and higher birth rates in Pendle.