A MAJOR redevelopment project for Keighley's Oakbank School has now attracted dozens of objections.

The scheme is one of four plans across Bradford district to demolish and replace dated school buildings, as revealed by the Department for Education last month.

However, the proposals for Oakbank have provoked more than 100 objections over fears that the works could cause a hockey club to fold. Opposition to the rebuilding of Oakbank mainly relates to the loss of hockey facilities during the two-year construction process.

Airedale Hockey Club, which has seven teams using the site, has flooded Bradford Council with objections.

Its members fear the club could fold if the scheme goes ahead, as the only hockey pitch in the area will be unusable during the works.

A Department for Education spokesman responded: "The existing Oakbank school buildings are no longer fit for purpose and urgently need to be replaced. It is our priority to keep any disruption to education to an absolute minimum.

"We understand that the temporary loss of the hockey pitch is a concern for Airedale Hockey Club and we are discussing this with them.

"A new county sized hockey pitch is being built as part of the project, and the school is keen to continue to hire the facilities to the community."

A spokesman for Oakbank School said: "We are working very hard with all stakeholders to not cause too much disruption during the build of our new school, and we hope to help the hockey club find a solution."