The new St Mary Magdalene RC Primary School, which could soon be at the heart of a "new town."

Homes for about 7,000 people, with shopping centres to serve them, are likely to be built at Ightenhill during the next few years. It will mean, in effect, a new town on Burnley's doorstep. A spokesman for Burnley Corporation's Planning and Estates Department said: "This is the key area for future development in Burnley. It will be by far the largest area of private development in the town." Three building firms have already won outline planning permission to build in the area: Bovis Ltd, Colroy Homes Ltd, and Price Bros Ltd, of Birmingham.

At the heart of this area is to be a district centre, with possibly a supermarket, six to eight smaller shops, a branch library and a health centre. The corporation is already negotiating with a West Bromwich architects firm about plans for the new centre. The shopping centre will be flanked by two primary schools. One, St Mary Magdalene's RC School, is already nearing completion. Although development will mean the sacrifice of more green fields, the planners insist the new houses will not spoil the area. Development will be screened from Pendleside by a line of low hills and the rural charm of much of Ightenhill Park Lane will be retained.