A HEAD teacher has dismissed suggestions that he is looking to transform his new school into a community centre.

Mr Peter Griffin, head of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic school in Northallerton, has spoken out after residents voiced concerns about his planning application for an entertainments licence.

Mr John Bull, of nearby Willow Road, said he felt the application had not been publicised enough. "There are only two public notices, one on the door of the school and only Catholics are bound to see that, and the other on the noticeboard outside the Catholic church in Thirsk Road," said Mr Bull.

He and other residents were worried that the application would spell noise and disruption. "It is entirely unnecessary to have such a licence to have discos for the children or any entertainment for children, parents and relatives," he said. "It is more likely it would be let out to people for functions.

"We have just had six months of upset with diggers and all the rest of it. On a night it is a quiet, residential area and if they start hiring the hall out then we shall be subjected to more noise."

Mr Griffin said he had nothing specific in mind when applying for the licence; it was a precautionary measure.

"I have complied with what Hambleton District Council has asked me to do, which is to put a notice on the door and a notice in a public place," he said. "If I get a licence, then I am covered."

He also quashed rumours that the Catholic church hall was to close, with everything moving to the school.

"That is not true," he said. "That is not why we built the school.

"As for the school becoming a mini-community centre, my answer to that would be it would be wonderful if this community decided we could be the centre of it. Part of the job of any school is to take itself into the community and establish links."

Another rumour that lighting for the school had been designed for its future use as a community centre was also denied.

"The lighting was incorporated into the building by the architect as a security measure," said Mr Griffin.

He revealed that he intended to establish a Friends' group and that there might be times when there would be a function with a disco and a bar.

"These functions will be to raise money for the education of the children. I want to do the best for the children and raise the profile of the school.

"We are all aware that people live here and we are not planning on having discos week in and week out. If any of the residents have any concerns, they should feel free to knock on the door and I'll speak to them. I am not proposing to do anything here that other schools don't do.