Lease setback for new Burnley secondary school

A new secondary school in Burnley which plans to open in September has been dealt a blow after it was refused a lease for its preferred site.
Former Habergham School site.Former Habergham School site.
Former Habergham School site.

Lancashire County Council leader Coun. Jennifer Mein refused to grant the lease for Burnley High School on the former Habergham High School site in Byron Street.

Coun. Mein said the free school would have a negative impact on the borough’s other five secondary schools.

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She was asked to consider a request from the Education Funding Agency to grant a long-term lease to the trustees of the Burnley High School but refused to back the scheme.

County Hall said the full report was not available for publication because it contains exempt information.

County Coun. Mein said: “I have taken this decision on the basis that Burnley does not need any additional secondary school places and that the establishment of a new school would have a destabilising effect on the existing high schools in the borough.”

A spokesman for the Department for Education said they were confident the school would open on time.

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“We are absolutely committed to ensuring Burnley High School opens in September 2014.

“We are yet to receive confirmation from Lancashire County Council on their decision. If they choose not to agree the site in question, it does not stop it being transferred and this process is under way.

“Announcements about a confirmed site will be made in due course.”