A SCHOOL expansion plan failed to win the support of local councillors — despite the fact it would see pupil intake increase by more than 100.

Governors at Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Westhoughton, have submitted a proposal to extend the Central Drive building and provide two new classrooms.

But residents have expressed concern that the extension would create additional traffic and parking problems in the area which they say is already gridlocked at peak times.

At a meeting of Westhougton Town Council on Monday, councillors recommended the application for refusal on the grounds of increased car capacity.

The application proposed a two-phase extension at the front and side of the school, with additional parking spaces for staff, to modernise the building.

There was no drop-off facility for parents included in the plans.

There are currently 315 pupils at the school, but that number would increase to a projected 420.

A report carried out by the applicant found that 50 per cent of children arrived at and left school in cars.

At Monday’s meeting, Cllr David Chadwick said the council would be “failing residents miserably” if they approved the proposals.

Cllr Chadwick said: “Clearly residents are not happy with the way people are abusing them, not only verbally, but abusing their good nature by parking across their drives.”

Two letters of objection and a petition against the extension, with 45 signatures, was received by the town council.

A final decision will be made by Bolton Council.