PLANS for a major overhaul of one of Lancashire’s most improved schools could be approved next week.

Hyndburn Academy bosses submitted proposals for a refurbishment earlier this year.

And now the council’s planning committee is set to meet, with a report from officers recommending that the application be approved despite five letters of objection and a petition containing 27 signatures from people against the development.

Objectors say the development at the school in Stourton Street, Rishton, formerly known as Norden High School, would increase traffic and anti-social behaviour, as well as leave little room for residents living nearby to park, especially at peak drop-off times.

It is proposed to demolish the old science block, as well as the Raising of School Leaving Age block, which is unused due to asbestos.

All classrooms will be refurbished, while science labs will be relocated to the main building first floor.

The main entrance to the academy will also be moved.

And the demolition area will be tarmacked over to be used as a staff car park.

Academy bosses behind the scheme say work will start as early as September as long as plans are approved by Hyndburn Council.

A report to go before the committee states: “The majority of the concerns raised by local residents focus upon how they feel that issues with parking and traffic would be exacerbated as a result of this development.

“The council understands that residents on Stourton Street do use the existing staff car park at the front of the school to park their cars.

“In this sense, as a result of the development these cars would have to park elsewhere but it should be noted however that this is land owned by the school and residents do not hold any rights to park there.

“At school opening and closing times the surrounding streets are busy and this is likely to continue, however, the relocation of the car-park to the rear of the school should not result in any increase in disturbance to local amenity caused by traffic.

“The council is of the view that the development would not give rise to unacceptable adverse impacts upon parking, safety and traffic flows or exacerbate the current situation."