PLANS for a new school, nursery and library in Fulford are moving forward, with the application due to be discussed at a planning meeting this week.

An outline application has been submitted for the replacement of St Oswald's School buildings which will also include a nursery school and a public library.

The buildings are to be constructed under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme which involves private funding being used which is then paid back over 25 years.

St Oswald's is one of three schools in the city set to be improved under the scheme, the others being St Barnabas's and Hob Moor.

The scheme caused controversy last year when three Fulford parish councillors resigned over the sale of the social hall which houses the library.

They said the social hall had historical value and could have been redeveloped with grants.

Fulford Parish Council has not objected to the scheme, but has criticised the application, saying not enough parking has been included.

Parish councillors also say the plan does not include improvements to severe traffic problems in the School Lane area, and that problems caused by HGVs and traffic calming measures on Heslington Lane need to be addressed before the school is built.

Local residents have supported the scheme but have said pedestrian access to Heslington Lane is poorly located and is a potentially vandal-prone and dangerous route; litter bins should be provided nearby; and that the highway verge, footpath and roads need to be reinstated before the completion of the development.

Officers have recommended the application be granted planning permission.

The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on Thursday, at The Guildhall, starting at 4.30pm.

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, April 22, 2003