A FINAL hurdle has been removed which should enable a new £3.6million Nelson primary school to go ahead.

Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW) had lodged an objection to the demolition of a property it owned, at 3 Appleby Street, which was to make way for the new Whitefield school.

But a planned public inquiry has now been abandoned after the trust confirmed it had withdrawn opposition to the scheme.

Education chiefs and community leaders have expressed their relief at their decision, which related to a series of compulsory purchase orders advertised on properties across Whitefield.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “If there aren’t any further delays and the school is given planning permission, then the new Whitefield Infants will open in September 2012.”

Irfan Ahmed, Whitefield Community Forum chairman, said: “I believe the people of Whitefield have united to send a message to HTNW and to all other objectors that we want a school and we want it now.”

Stephen Riley, Lancashire County Council’s buildings and development officer, said: “We are very pleased to have reached agreement with all the parties who raised objections to the compulsory purchase order for the replacement school site.”