Controversial proposals to expand a Bradford primary school because of a housing boom would be thoroughly examined before a decision was reached, parents have been assured.

The pledge has come from Bradford Council's director of education Phil Green at a special meeting last night to update parents about whether Eldwick Primary School should expand by a third next year to take account of high levels of children in the area.

It would mean the number of children in each year group would increase from 60 to 90. The total number of children would go up from 420 to 630.

Some parents have been concerned that because of a massive housebuilding programme, there would not be enough places for pupils' siblings to attend the school.

Around 500 new homes have been built in the area with planning permission granted for a further 300.

At the single issue neighbourhood forum at the school, attended by around 50 parents and residents, Mr Green said this had caused a "massive expansion" in the number of children of primary school age looking for school places in Eldwick and Gilstead.

"These numbers are quite exceptional for the district," said Mr Green. "The number of children per hundred houses who are going into a particular year group in Bradford as a whole is 1.7. In this area it is about 4.5.

"So it's very much in excess of the normal levels for Bradford and there are probably a lot of reasons. It's an attractive area and a successful school and that plays a part."

He said the council echoed the Government policy of local schools for local children and that in any consideration about expansion the most important factor was the effective education of children.

Any decision would hinge on whether the future size of Eldwick Primary would have an effect on the quality of education, he said.

"The demand for places in this area suggests to us we will need more than two forms per year.

"But to do something like this is difficult and expensive. It's a fairly major capital investment and we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't all feel the need to do it."

He said the six-week consultation process would end next week. After that, if it was felt that expansion was appropriate, it would be eventually discussed by the Schools Organisation Committee which consisted of the Local Education Authority, the Catholic and Church of England dioceses, the Muslim Association and Community Group. All had to agree.

Mr Green said a decision on expansion could be reached by mid April.