Islamic school for Nelson

5:15pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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AN ISLAMIC school is to be opened in Nelson.

Councillors approved plans to transform a disused warehouse in Norfolk Street by six votes to five with one abstention.

Bosses from the Fountains of Knowledge charity, which is behind the 120-pupil school, said it was what the community wanted.

But nearby businesses had urged councillors on the Nelson Committee to throw out the scheme over traffic concerns.

Sajad Rana, chairman of the charity, told the meeting that all but £50,000 of the £250,000 needed to open the Al Ikhlaas Primary School had been raised by the community.

The plans include the creation of a playground, the school building, include eight classrooms, two assembly/prayer halls, a library and a community room.

Developers dropped plans for a nursery to accommodate a request by planning officers for increased car parking spaces, one for each classroom.

Mr Rana, a software developer and former teacher, said the school was a community project that would allow parents to educate their children closer to home.

He said: "The reasons why Fountains of Knowledge has pursued this project is not on some whim or fantastic desire.

"The project has come to fruition as a result of community consultation.

"They want to see a school established in a building which has not been used for a number of years.

"At the moment concerned parents have to send their children to Blackburn."

Brothers Glen and John Little who run businesses in Norfolk Street said the playground would cause problems for their businesses.

Glen, who runs Little's Transport, said: "With the extension to the building I will not be able to access my business.

"Trying to get 60 foot vehicles in and out of my site with children coming in and out of cars will be difficult."

Local Resident Stephanie Esketh also raised concerned over increased congestion and the potential for accidents on an already busy road.

Coun Sonia Robertson, voting against the proposal, said: "If you pass this application you are not giving the traders a fair deal.

"We have huge concerns for the safety of the children.

"It is not in the right location and I for one move to turn this application down for the safety of the children, the lack of access and the effect it will have on traders businesses."

A school travel plan will also have to be submitted to the council.