BOSSES of a new school for Muslim girls have been told to provide more than 40 spaces for cycles -- even though none of the pupils will be allowed to ride bikes.

Members of the planning and highways committee of Blackburn with Darwen Council have been criticised for the move, imposed when they approved a plan to convert a former ward wing at Park Lee Hospital, Blackburn.

The owners wanted to provide extra parking on site after concerns for residents that the school, for girls of secondary school age, would create congestion on nearby streets.

But councillors insisted that parking be provided for cyclists -- even though Muslim custom bans girls aged over 10 from riding bikes. Community leaders today condemned the council's decision.

Rafique Malik, an executive member of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "If this has been imposed without any thought then the council seems to have misunderstood cultures. Girls cannot ride bikes and that has always been the case.

"It would have seemed sensible to change the cycle parks into car park spaces."

Some 84 car parking spaces will be provided along with 42 spaces for bikes at the centre, which will be called the Markaz-Ui-Loom College. It will be next to door to the East Lancs Hospice. Couns Yusuf Jan-Virmani and Peter Greenwood both argued the cycling provision should be turned into car parking spaces, but councillors voted to stick to demands for the cycling spaces after highways and transport manager Ian Richardson spoke to the committee.

He said: "Although the school is for Muslim girls at the moment, that may change in the future. We also have to remember modes of transport may change in the future."

He said the move reflected government policy encouraging more people to use bicycles. But Coun Jan-Virmani said: "It is very silly. I have had assurances this building will be a girl's school for the next 30 years. The residents are worried about the effect the school with have on parking and we are being asked to insist parking is provided on site for the use of bikes when bikes won't be used.

"Custom states that Muslim girls must not show their ankles so they cannot ride bikes. It seems very daft.

"Add to that the fact that it is a steep hill to get to the school. To cycle up that you would need an ambulance when you get to the top, not a cycle park." Coun Peter Greenwood added: "It is a complete absurbity. Why are we insisting that provision is found for something we know won't be used? We could help solve the parking problems if the cycling spaces were put in place. That is just common sense."

Residents also objected to the use of the old hospital wing as a school, saying it would cause disruption and that proposed additional rooms would overlook their properties.

A petition was also received objecting to the size, site, appearance and use of the building. Council officers stressed the conditions attached to approval meant residents would not be disturbed. Frosted glass will be used in windows overlooking houses, with public functions restricted to just four a year.

A spokesman for the school said: "If need be, we would ask parents or visitors to park a distance away and we would bus them in to save any problems to residents."