A CAMPAIGN group has been set up backing controversial plans to build a new super-school on green field land in Burnley.

The Campaign for a Local Secondary School has been launched supporting the new Hameldon Community College on land off Rossendale Road.

The college, due to open in 2010, is part of Lancashire County Council's £250million Building Schools for the Future programme in Burnley and Nelson and will replace Ivy Bank and Habergham High.

The development has been one of the most controversial, with many opponents claiming it would have an environmental impact on the area. They have also claimed the site is unsafe because of traffic flows.

But now a group based at Venice Street Community Centre has formed to promote the school.

Spokesman Chris Keene said LCC would spend £1.4million on traffic calming in Rossendale Road as well as create 24 apprenticeships a year which would not be provided if the school stayed on the present site.

He said: "Everyone in the area will benefit from this significant investment, so we are all winners in two ways - firstly by getting a new a £25million super school that will meet the needs of the whole community and secondly by getting far safer roads for all of us.

"The news about apprenticeships for local people has really delighted our members, because unemployment continues to be a problem in our area."

Last month LCC gave itself planning permission for the new school despite Burnley's councillors objecting.

But Mr Keene said 22 organisations including schools, childcare groups, residents associations and youth groups as well as over 500 people supported the campaign. He called on Burnley Council leader, Coun Gordon Birtwistle, to work with the county council "instead of political point scoring".

Coun Birtwistle issued a statement which said the authority objected to the school on road safety grounds, it had poor accessibility, it was against its planning guidelines and there was a number of suitable brownfield sites.

It added: "The council maintains the view in terms of public safety, accessibility and relevance to local planning policy, this development would not serve the interests of either the town of Burnley or its people."