ONE of Burnley's new "super-schools" is a step closer to being built.

Burnley Council is due to give the green light to plans for the new Sir John Thursby College tomorrow.

The super-school came into being in name in August last year.

As part of the £250million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) education shake-up in Burnley and Pendle, Sir John Thursby College merged female pupils from Walshaw High School and boys from Barden High School.

But since September, it has operated from the current Walshaw site in Eastern Avenue, plus some temporary cabins.

Lancashire County Council, the authority responsible for implementing BSF, has submitted plans for the new building and Burnley borough councillors are recommended not to object.

The plans, which pupils have been involved in drawing up, outline a 1,050-place school, plus 90 places for pupils with learning difficulties, an all weather pitch, grass pitches, a games area, wetlands study areas, and a wind turbine.

A report prepared for the planning committee said: "The Community College concept includes thoughtful provision for extended community use of the school's sports and assembly facilities."

The existing Walshaw High School building, which was built in the 1950s, will eventually be demolished to make way for the new sports pitches, but the school will continue to operate from there until the expected completion of the new build in 2009. Temporary access and car parking will be provided for the duration.

The seven other "super-schools" are also operating out of temporary venues and cabins until new locations are built, some of which have sparked major controversy.

Planned sites for Unity College in Towneley Park, Burnley and Marsden Heights Community College at Bent Head playing fields in Nelson provoked fierce resident protests.