A GOVERNOR today vowed to appeal against a decision by councillors to refuse a two-storey extension to a popular private school after opposition to the plans were led by just one resident.

Tony Baron, chairman of the governors at Oakhill College, Whalley, revealed that teachers had even altered the school's timetable and moved a playground to appease the unhappy neighbour. But still she objected.

It was the second time the school in Wiswell Lane, Whalley, had applied for permission to build the extension to provide additional classrooms, toilets and offices for the overcrowded school.

It would run over the site of an existing single-storey building. The application was refused in August because it was over-intensive, even though a much larger development was given permission in 1994 but the school could not get the funds together to implement it.

At the Ribble Valley planning and development committee meeting, Annette Shaw, who lives in the neighbouring cottage, spoke out against the project, claiming it would lead to her privacy being invaded because people would be able to look into her garden.

But Mr Baron said: "When Mr Shaw and his first wife bought the house they knew it was next to a school. There was never any problem. Then the second Mrs Shaw moved in and she also knew there was a school next door.

"One has to question what sort of person moves next to a school and complains about the noise children make?

"When people move near an airport, they accept they will hear aeroplanes. It is the same thing, only our children are not as noisy.

"We have done everything we can to help Mrs Shaw. We have moved the playgrounds nearest her home. We have had to alter the timetables for the youngest children to make this possible.

"Mrs Shaw complains of losing her privacy but she has chopped down 10ft high leylandi which shielded her from the school.

"This development really is needed. At the moment some children are being taught in an area meant to be a kitchen and temporary accommodation is reaching the end of its life. We need a bigger eating area, too. We just want to improve our school."

But Mrs Shaw, who complained at the August meeting that the children disturbed her, said: "I am not against educational improvement but think this development is too much and too intrusive. The playgrounds were not next to my house when I moved in. There has to an alternative to a massive complex.

"Even with the playgrounds moved, there are still toilets in this building which will mean children are coming in and out all the time."

Councillors backed Mrs Shaw. Whalley's Coun Joyce Holgate said: "It is still two storeys high in open countryside and intrusive."