HUDDERSFIELD could get a new primary school – thanks to a controversial financial programme.

Kirklees Council will next week apply for Government funding to build a new school in Crosland Moor to cope with the growing population in the area.

Councillors will also ask for money to refurbish All Saints Catholic College in Bradley; Mount Pleasant Juniors in Lockwood; Batley Grammar School and Whitcliffe Mount in Cleckheaton.

Ministers have made up to £3bn available nationally to pay for as many as 300 new or refurbished schools.

The funding will come through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) – a controversial programme which a senior Conservative MP has described as “ripping off” taxpayers.

Kirklees’ Cabinet will decide on Tuesday whether to make the funding bids.

Cabinet member for education Clr Cath Harris explained that a new primary school was needed to cope with the growing population of Crosland Moor and Thornton Lodge.

The Ashbrow Labour woman said yesterday: “We will need to provide for up to 90 more children per year in that area within the next five years.

“Some of that could come from the expansion of Mount Pleasant, but it can’t take all the volume needed. Dryclough and Crosland Moor Infants are full so we need to find more provision.”

Kirklees officers believe Moor End Academy is the only “deliverable site” for a new primary school to serve Crosland Moor and Thornton Lodge.

Clr Harris said: “It’s a question of finding a suitable site we can build on.

“We need room for another three form classes and we need to consider what’s a suitable size for a primary school.”