Proposals to convert Brierfield Mills – the grade 2 former medical fabrics plant -  into a huge single sex boarding school for 5,000 muslim girls have been lambasted by local MP, Gordon Prentice. 

Speaking from Nelson earlier today, the MP said: “So far as I understand it, no planning application has yet been submitted to Pendle Council to convert this landmark building into an enormous boarding school. The scale of what is proposed is truly staggering.” 

“We can only go on press reports. But 5,000 students is a huge number – equivalent to the population of the town of Earby. It would dwarf every one of our secondary schools in Pendle.”

“I want to see young people of all faiths and both genders study and mix together as they grow up.” 

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