OBJECTORS have warned they may go to the High Court to block Tauheedul’s controversial plans for purpose-built new primary school in Blackburn.

Their spokesman Michael Saulet, a local resident, said they were looking at launching a judicial review of Blackburn with Darwen council planning committee’s decision to approve the £5 million scheme over road safety concerns.

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Last year the Muslim Education Trust abandoned plans for a new boys’ school on Clarence Street after judges ruled against the borough in a similar dispute.

On Thursday night councillors gave permission for the new Olive School on Meins Road, Beardwood despite objections from more than 70 local residents, Westholme School, landowner Lord Alvingham and the Beardwood Hospital.

Approval was granted on a split nine to five vote.

Now the residents’ group is ready to take legal action.

The Tauheedul Education Trust wants to replace the existing Olive Primary on Bicknell Street with a two-storey complex for 630 pupils on unused playing fields next to its Islamic Girls High School.

Mr Saulet said: “We are extremely disturbed by the way that this application was approved by the committee.

“We do not believe that all our objections around traffic and road safety, including supporting evidence sent to the council by traffic consultants the day before the meeting, were properly considered by councillors.

“We shall continue to work with Westholme School, Lord Alvingham and the Beardwood Hospital to seek to prevent this development going ahead until the road safety issues have been satisfactorily addressed.

“We are seriously considering seeking a judicial review of this decision in the High Court.”

Beardwood and Lammack councillor Mike Lee said: “I will support the residents in whatever future action they choose, including seeking judicial review.

“This application was bulldozed through and the committee failed to deal adequately with the road safety issues.

“We cannot have a situation where children are at risk.

“We have no objection to the school itself.”

Before Thursday’s meeting ,Westholme governors’ chairman Brian Marsden appealed for the decision to be delayed.

In June, Tauheedul abandoned plans for a purpose-built four-story boys school on the site of the Edinburgh House YMCA in Clarence Street.

This followed a High Court Judge ruling in favour of residents in a judicial review the previous October.

On Thursday, the Olive School scheme was approved with a full page of conditions including traffic management and calming measures, off-site highways works, a full car parking scheme, a ‘green’ travel plan, staggered school hours, new pedestrian crossings and a new footpath to reduce the risk of accidents.

Planning committee chairman Dave Smith said: “There was a full debate and then a democratic vote with extra conditions added.

“It is up to the objectors if they want to seek a judicial review.”

The Tauheedul Education Trust said in a statement: “We welcome the council’s decision.

“We will continue to work with the community to ensure we allay any of their concerns and develop a site which works for local schools, parents and residents.”