A CONSULTATION on plans to double the size of Barnoldswick Primary School and relocate it has opened.

Parents and residents have four weeks to give their comments on the proposal to move the school to the site of West Craven Technology College, in Kelbrook Road.

The primary school would co-locate to with the secondary school on that site and expand to a capacity of 420.

The scheme was first mooted last summer when concerns were expressed about a shortfall of primary school places in Brierfield, Nelson and Barnoldswick caused by a baby boom.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “It is proposed that the school will permanently expanded to admit an additional 30 pupils to each year with effect from September 2013, facilitated by the relocation of the school.

“The current capacity of the school is 202 and the proposed capacity will be 420. The current number of pupils registered at the school is 193.

“It is proposed that the school will relocate onto the existing site of West Craven High Technology College and co-locate with the secondary school.

“The relocation would allow Barnoldswick Church of England Controlled Primary School to be rebuilt and increase the capacity of the primary school from 202 to 420, becoming a two-form entry school.”

Anybody who wishes to comment on the proposals can do so by writing to the Directorate for Children and Young People, Provision Planning Team, PO Box 61, County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ.