CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish and rebuild a village school in Pendle have been delayed by county councillors.

County Hall proposals to bulldoze Laneshawbridge Primary have divided opinion in the community.

If approved, the present Victorian school would make way for a single-storey building, with pupil numbers rising from 174 to 210.

But objectors believe it would result in a traffic nightmare for the already congested Emmott Lane.

Lancashire County Council’s development control committee voted to defer the proposals for a site visit at a meeting this week in Preston.

Coun George Adam, who represents Nelson South division, called for an additional report of the school’s proposed catchment area.

“This is a small village and we are looking at 210 pupils here,” he added.

The plans also include new playgrounds, a football field and access road and pathways to the school.