ANOTHER new school is under consideration in Nelson due to the town’s burgeoning birth rate.

Education bosses are keeping population statistics for Walverden ward under review, the Lancashire Local Pendle committee heard.

And if the Walverden birth rate continues to rise then firm proposals will be drawn up to possibly move and expand the area’s primary school.

Jim Blackburn, Lancashire County Council’s school buildings officer for Pendle, said: “We are keeping a watching brief on Walverden as we may have additional needs for places there because of the birth rate.

“We have been in discussion over potential new sites for Walverden and if one becomes available we would take the opportunity to purchase it and increase the numbers that school can hold.”

Nelson is already in line for a new primary school, to be built on the former Water Board Yard in Whitefield.

This was prompted by the rising birth rates in Whitefield and Lomeshaye, predicted over the coming years.

Eventually the new school will house pupils from both Whitefield Infants and Lomeshaye Juniors on the site.

But Coun Eileen Ansar, of Clover Hill ward, has warned that most of Nelson’s prime development land could be snapped up by the time the county council makes a move to expand Walverden.

Coun Ansar said: “The area around Walverden Primary itself is not big enough to accommodate a new school.

“But all of the prime building land has got people interested. We need to take action now if we are going to secure a site.”

Mr Blackburn said the property situation would be continually monitored until a suitable location became apparent.

Education bosses are already in consultation over plans to remodel, and possibly expand the rolls, at Laneshawbridge Primary, near Colne, regarded as the county’s best-performing infant and junior school.