Plans to transform a Cottingley school with a multi-million pound extension have been delayed.

Councillors on Shipley Area Planning Panel deferred the application amid fears that pupils may be put at risk from increased traffic.

The full application to expand Nab Wood School, Cottingley New Road, would mean it would be able to accept up to 1,400 children instead of 908. If approved, single-storey extensions to the art rooms and science rooms and two-storey extensions to the music rooms and sports changing facilities would be built, together with a free-standing two-storey classroom.

The scheme was due to start in December or January and finish in August 2001. But the application has been plagued by delays.

Councillor Robin Owens, the chairman of Shipley Area Planning Panel, said he was worried as to how the extra volume of traffic generated would be safely managed on such a dangerous road.

A transport assessment carried out over the period January 1994-September 1999 showed there were 13 recorded personal-injury accidents within 50m of the school access junction with Cottingley New Road.

Of these, five were child casualties . There have been three additional accidents since September 1999. It was also revealed that car trips to school are likely to increase from more than 200 to more than 300.

Coun Owens said: "An accident reduction programme is needed and there is no sign of one in the application. We were unwilling to put kids in danger." As a result the panel had to defer making a decision as did a subsequent meeting of the Regulatory Committee.

Head teacher Helen Lynch said: "It's a huge extension which will transform the school. I do have concerns regarding the planning permission because the timescale is very tight. But obviously we want the access to the school to be safe and improvements made if possible."