PLANS have been lodged for an extension containing four new classrooms at a primary school.

The application for the development at Christ Church C of E Primary School in Colne.

The application details how a new two-storey building containing extra classrooms would be built on the playing field at the school to meet demand.

The proposals have been the subject of extended discussions with the local authority since a pre-application advice request was submitted in January 2018.

All options for a new building on the existing playground had therefore been considered and so development of the playing fields was put forward as an option.

Sports England have been included in discussions from an early stage.

They have stated that they would require confirmation that a U7/8 pitch could be accommodated on the field alongside any new development to ensure an appropriate level of sports pitch is maintained and that the loss of playing field has been offset.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application to Pendle Council said: "The area in question currently comprises part of the existing playing fields to the west of the main school.

"Whilst this may have raised objection from Sports England in principle, there are additional site specific matters that must be taken into consideration.

"There is currently a temporary classroom building located in the northern portion of the playing fields which alongside the topography of the site, restricts the provision of demarcated sports pitches.

"The removal of this building and the placement of a new facility in the eastern corner of the fields, alongside the removal of a small number of trees from the western corner of the site, would enable the remainder of the land to be laid out as an U8 pitch. "The all-weather nature of the pitch proposed would mean that sport pitch facilities would be available on site throughout the year.

"As such, the proposals would allow a new playing pitch to be demarcated of regulation size on site for the enjoyment of pupils, whilst still retaining the school field to the south.

"It is acknowledged that the proposed development would result in a minor encroachment onto the playing field but in removing the existing structure this enables the site to provide improved sporting facilities and as such would not reduce the sporting capability of the site, whilst providing much needed additional classroom space.

"In light of the above, it is therefore considered that the proposed development meets the Sport England guidance and is acceptable in respect of open space."