RESIDENTS have been left frustrated and disappointed after plans to expand Hyndburn Academy were approved.

People living on Stourton Street had expressed concerns over the impact proposals to knock down two blocks as part of a comprehensive refurbishment at Hyndburn Academy in Rishton, formerly Norden High School and Sports College.

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.

Stourton Street resident Nigel Airey said the development would exacerbate the parking situation at the school, which had already reached saturation point.

But planning committee members said the needs of schoolchildren came first and backed the application for approval.

School bosses hope work on the development will start as early as September.

Mr Airey said: "For over 30 years there has been a problem with parking on Stourton Street because of the close proximity of two schools. "Present day, that problem has now escalated to a point that parking at peak times and in the evenings has reached saturation point.

"We have no objection to the school building an extension but it just seems that the residents don't count.

"The fact is that the school comes first but the houses were there before the school."

Mr Airey had suggested an alternative solution whereby car parking spaces could be created outside the proposed perimeter gates but on the footprint of the school.

Cllr Kate Walsh, speaking on behalf of residents, suggested adding an extra exit from the site on Cliff Street to alleviate the pressure on Stourton Street.

But members were told they had to take a decision on the plans as they were and the suggestions were not anything that could be imposed through conditions.

Headteacher Nicola Palmer said: "We are predominantly a walking school. At present, only a minority of students are dropped off and picked up.

"The academy will make sure visitors use the new car park and do not park on Stourton Street."

Committee member Cllr Dave Parkins said: "I visited the site with the plans and it all boils down to parking.

"We have similar problems at every school in Hyndburn and at the end of the day, I'm going to support this application because the future of the students overrides the parking issue."

Planning chairman Cllr Eamonn Higgins added: "While the objections of residents are valid, none of them are material considerations in planning law and there are no objections from any of the statutory bodies."