Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins has written to South Lakeland District Council to voice concern that some local people were "kept in the dark" regarding a controversial development, reports Ruth Lythe.

As previously reported in The Westmorland Gazette, plans for a £5 million development to enlarge Dallam School, Milnthorpe, were granted planning permission last month by SLDC planners.

The plans will see the creation of a new entrance to the school on the B6384 as well as a new science, music and performing arts block, gym, sports hall and changing rooms and a 90-space car park.

But because the development encroaches on a piece of protected green gap' land, the permission is subject to a proviso that it must be advertised in The Westmorland Gazette as a departure from the local plan.

A public notice appeared in the paper last week and any "substantive" objections should be submitted to SLDC within 21 days of its appearance.

Supporters of the plan say that the development is "widely supported" and will meet a need by allowing the school's sixth form to move from the Heversham site to the Dallam base.

However, some Milnthorpe residents have said they will fight the decision and have formed a protest group CASPA (Campaign against the School Plans and Development).

Following last month's planning meeting, the group has written to SLDC asking for the decision to grant planning permission to be annulled.

The group is objecting to SLDC's decision on the grounds that a 27-page document and a petition with 380 signatures had not been properly considered.

The group also feels that Milnthorpe residents were not properly informed about the extent of the development.

After being approached by the protest group, Tim Collins wrote to SLDC planning officers saying that he is "concerned by allegations that some residents have been kept in the dark about the full extent of the proposals."

Janine Fletcher, of CASPA, said that the group was calling for a public inquiry about the decision and had received 380 letters of protest, which she would forward to SLDC.

"This is not a foregone conclusion, the groundswell of objection is massive," she said.

However, SLDC planning officer Lillian Hopkins said the 27-page document was available at the planning committee for any councillor who wanted to read the full text.

She added that the petition had been presented at the planning meeting itself and was therefore too late for the planners to consider.

Steve Holdup, head teacher of Dallam School, said that he did not want the ongoing row to "sour relations" with people in Milnthorpe.

He said: "I am delighted by the decision of the planning committee, we can get on with the work to bring Dallam School to one site to the great benefit of the students and the staff."