A NEW flood basin has been approved for a Pendle super-school, despite fears over the possible impact on nearby 19th Century cottages.

Engineers said the 63-metre long trough is needed for the new Marsden Heights Community College, Brierfield, to guard against possible floods which may happen every 100 years.

But officials from Pendle council lodged a formal objection to the scheme, unhappy that residents of Edge End Cottages, in Edge End Lane, could be put in jeopardy.

Borough council planners were also worried about protected trees around the former Bent Head playing fields.

Neighbours also claim that no assess-ment has been made about the impact on nearby Edge End Brook, and a natural spring on the land.

Building work for Marsden Heights has been marred by concerns over large mounds, overlooking neighbouring homes in Mansfield Crescent. Councillors have also alleged that contractors have left roads filthy and failed to adhere to agreed working hours.

But the latest application for the new 1,050-place education establishment, being built under the Building Schools for the Future programme, was defended by county hall chiefs.

The proposals are for the northwest edge of the site, next to the games area, currently under construction.

Contractors now say they plan to install an earth mound and control weir to safeguard outflows from the basin.

A county council planning official added: “The scheme does not involve any storage of sewage. No control kiosks or equipment is needed.

“The natural spring is located in the centre of the all weather pitch and the applicant has advised that the refurb-ishment of the pitch did not involve infilling of the spring.”