(From the Lancashire Telegraph 23 December 2009)

PLANS for a huge faith school in Burnley have been criticised by the town’s Bishop.

The Rt Rev John Goddard said plans for the 1,500-pupil all-girls school on the site of the former Burnley College in Ormerod Road would set back the integration of faiths in the town.

He said he was concerned about the plans, coming as the town continues to get back on track following the 2001 race riots.

“I am concerned about anything that detracts from the growing unity across faiths and race in the town.

“Burnley has made great strides in recent years and a lot of positive things are happening here, including the Building Schools for the Future programme, which is much admired by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“Anything that detracts and distracts from going forward in integration and having a respectful culture is not good news for Burnley.

“I am not against faith schools in principle but I don’t think this will help Burnley.”

Plans to convert the grade II listed building have been submitted by Birmingham-based Mohiuddin Trust, which said it seeks to promote cohesion by “strengthening inter-community relationships”.

The school would accommodate 1,500 pupils with around 300 boarders at any one time.

The Bishop’s comments come after Pendle MP Gordon Prentice also warned about the dangers of establishing the school in Burnley.

He said: “The last thing we need is single-sex, single faith schools for girls, it pulls against community cohesion.

“It makes me weep to think so much time, energy and effort has gone into the community to get people to mix together. This goes against all public policy.”

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