Plans for three new schools are in the pipeline as part of a bid to address the rising birth rate and influx of new families in parts of the district.

Next Tuesday, the Council's Executive will consider proposals to approve a consultation period for new, larger schools on the current All Saints Primary site in Kennion Street, Little Horton, the Chapel Grange Special School site in Rhodesway, Allerton, and a third as yet unidentified location in the West Bowling area - popular with incoming families from eastern Europe.

A report set to be presented to the City Hall meeting will ask councillors to approve the launch of a competition process for the three schools. If given the green light, a public consultation period will begin immediately.

A number of sites have already been identified as possible locations for the West Bowling school with land at Parkway found to be the most favourable so far due to the growing number of families settling in the area. The Executive has also been asked to instruct officers to investigate planning issues surrounding the site.

Councillor Colin Gill, the Council's executive member for services for children and young people, said: "The pressure on school places is mainly in central areas of the district as this is the area where people from outside of Bradford are moving to.

"Finding places for newcomers is becoming more difficult and we hope the creation of three new schools will help to address this."

The Council is also proposing to adjust intake numbers for some schools to cope with the changing demand for places.

Again, the Executive will be asked to give permission for a consultation on the proposals on Tuesday.

Plans are already underway to consult on increasing the admission number from 60 to 75 at Lidget Green Primary from September 2009.

Other proposals include reducing the admission number at Addingham Primary from 45 to 30; and from 210 to 180 at Nab Wood School from September 2009.

Permission will also be sought to consult on creating priority admission areas for Ben Rhydding, East Morton CE and Long Lee Primary schools which are oversubscribed, and to change the shape of the priority admission areas for Grange Technology College and Feversham College.

The plans include removing Burley Oaks Primary school's priority area in Burley-in-Wharfedale, near Ilkley, after complaints from families that it took precedence over the sibling rule.

Coun Gill added: "It is essential we do all we can to ensure schools run smoothly and so that there are enough places in areas where there is greater demand, such as in the central areas of the district."

Philip Shackleton, Bradford branch secretary for teaching union the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said a shortage of school places in some areas Bradford had to be addressed.

"It is a national issue and we are constantly asking where the children of new families will go," added Mr Shackleton.

e-mail: dan.webber @bradford.newsquest.co.uk