Plans to double the size of the village school in Stanbury were given the seal of approval by councillors at a meeting of the Keighley Area Planning panel yesterday.

Councillors yesterday discussed the plan to build a new two-storey building, replacing current temporary classrooms.

Planning officers supported the plan and said although it was on a green belt site the "very special circumstances" surrounding the application outweighed any environmental concerns.

Representations were made in favour of the plan, which would safeguard the future of the tiny school. The council's education service said the school would close if the application was refused.

Ward councillor Paul Barker described the school as a vital part of village life and said: "With the move to a two tier education system the school does need to be enlarged to accommodate the new curriculum."

Cllr Glen Miller said: "The temporary classrooms are already at the end of their lives, and I believe they are more of an eyesore than the new building would be."

Keith Yates, chairman of the governors, also spoke at length in favour of the application.

Brain Fuller, a nearby Stanbury resident, objected to the plan, describing it as a "gothic monstrosity" resembling a "Stanbury workhouse."

He said: "This isn't an extension. This is going to be the principal building. The school in my view is going to be far too big."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plan after adding conditions about entrance gates, adequate parking and lighting, and added that negotiations on a new playground had to be successfully completed before work started.

The plan, part of the Bradford-wide education shake-up, still has to be passed by the Regulatory committee and the secretary of state for the department of environment, transport and the regions.

l Plans for a housing development which would have trebled the size of Eastburn were dropped at the last minute this week when planning officers advised councillors to refuse planning permission.

See next week's KN for the full story.