PENSIONERS are protesting against 'once-in-a-lifetime' expansion plans proposed by one of Herefordshire's most successful schools, writes BILL TANNER.

St Mary's RC High School, at Lugwardine, wants a nearby former nursing home as its future sixth-form centre.

But the occupants of an adjoining development for retired people think differently. They fear a situation that brings the school right up against their boundaries.

At the centre of the storm is listed Lugwardine Court, a residential care home recently put on the market.

St Mary's sees the site's availability as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for additional accommodation, at a fraction of the cost of a new building.

With more than 90 per cent of parents wanting the school to offer post-16 education, a sixth-form centre is an attractive expansion option.

St Mary's has been recognised as one of the region's top schools and its proposals have full support from the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

But all this cuts little ice at Lugwardine Court Orchard, an adjacent retirement development.

Here, tenants fear the scheme as a threat to 'peace of mind' and possibly safety.

In representations to Herefordshire Council they claim the school's boundaries would come 'right up' to their rear gardens if the application gets a go-ahead.

The decision lies with the council's central area planning sub-committee, which was due to meet yesterday.Members were being advised to delegate eventual approval to officers, once specific conditions had been agreed.