PLANS to convert a Rossendale funeral home into housing have been met with opposition by a residents’ group.

Alderson and Horan Funeral Services has lodged an application with Rossendale Council to turn its Burnley Road site, in Goodshaw, into three flats and three houses.

Limey Valley Residents’ Association (LVRA) has said it will hold an ‘important’ discussion on the proposals at its monthly meeting next week.

Stephen Alderson, a director and co-founder of the funeral firm, said he had no plans to close the home, and that the application had been submitted purely as a ‘precaution’ in case business circumstances changed.Alderson and Horan was formed by Mr Alderson and his brother-in-law, John Horan, in Burnley in 2004, and took over the Goodshaw site, formerly The Jester Inn pub, in late 2011.

The plans, outlined by Reedley-based architects Avalon Town Planning, are for a change of use for the funeral home, and the creation of a self-contained flat to form three apartments, and three detached homes and garages.

The number of car parking spaces would be doubled from seven to 14.

A spokesperson for LVRA, which represents the villages of Loveclough, Goodshaw and Crawshawbooth, said: “We feel that this application is against the spirit of ‘no building’ on the west side of Burnley Road, and not in keeping with the area.”

The topic is on the agenda for the association’s August meeting, at the Top Club, in Commercial Street, Loveclough, from 8pm next Monday.