GOVERNMENT officials could decide to call-in school merger plans for a public inquiry.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning and highways committee members approved extension proposals for Westholme School pending a decision by the Secretary of State’s office on whether they need further examination.

Plans were drawn up last year for a scheme to merge all three Westholme School sites into one, with the school’s nursery to close from August.

The school says the proposals will enrich the experience for all students and protect the sustainability of the school.

The school is currently split across three locations, and a planning application was drawn up to convert and extend the current art and music blocks and move all primary-age pupils to the existing senior school at Wilmar Lodge, Meins Road.

Staunch opposition to the proposal was voiced by people living nearby who say the scheme will significantly worsen traffic on Meins Road.

But councillors heard the scheme, which proposes to house all three Westholme streams at one site, could actually lessen traffic because parents won’t have to make drop-offs at two or three separate sites and children won’t have to be bussed between locations for swimming lessons.

Lukman Patel, who lives on Heathfield Park, said: “How is this appropriate development on green belt? There is no exceptional circumstance as they already have facilities close by.

“The green belt will be harmed materially. The existing buildings that the school plans to dispose of could be used as a school or nursery, adding two further educational establishments in the area.

“This would cause chaos. Once planning permission has been granted it cannot be revoked.”

Ward councillor Julie Daley said: “I want to reassure residents. Historically there have been as many as 711 pupils based at the senior school and the numbers combined for this will be lower with a maximum of 650 which is a reduction, not an increase.

“I am sure the daily lives of residents will not be affected negatively.”

Executive member for growth and development, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “There is currently quite a lot of traffic between the three sites.

“The school is aware of the issue and efforts will be made to address the concerns of residents and minimise the impact on them.

“With regards to the future of the other sites - that’s not something we can take into consideration at this point. That will happen as they are brought forward for development.”

The matter has been referred to the Secretary of State because the school is on green belt land.

Government now has 21 days to decide whether to release the council’s decision for implementation or call it in for a public inquiry.