PLANS to build 10 new homes on the car park of Clitheroe's multi faith centre have been given the go ahead despite opposition from local groups.

A total of 25 objection letters were initially made against a proposal to erect 10 properties at land off Wilkin Square, Clitheroe, at the recent planning and development committee.

Lappet Manufacturing Company Ltd, who made the proposal, want to make five of the apartments one-bedroom in size and the remainder two bedroom.

The approved proposal means that each of the blocks will be allocated a garden area which will be dedicated for use for the residents of the ground floor apartments.

Residents objected to the these proposals because they were alarmed about the impacts the development will have on parking in the town.

They were concerned the development will lead to an increase in traffic in the area, add congestion in the town and cause further disruption to school traffic.

Clitheroe Town Council also objected to the application because of the impact the proposals will have on parking at the Mosque and access to St Michael and St John's Church.

The church car park is used by teachers and parents St Michael and St John's Primary School, on Lowergate, and enters out onto the square.

Monsignor John Corcoran, who is the priest at St Michael and St John’s RC Church, said: "I can't understand why the application was actually passed by the planning committee because there is terrible congestions down there.

"Cars are parked in every available space particularly on Friday where there is terrible congestion.

"We have to lock the church car park and open it during school times because we reached the stage where the teaching staff are unable to park on the car park so now we have to lock it."

A spokesman for Clitheroe Civic Society said: "I share all of Father John's concerns because that area is notorious as being a bottle neck.

"We just do not another 10 houses in this area.

"We have now achieved our housing requirement for the core strategy and we should be questioning the need to build more housing.

"One of my other main concerns is the new houses will overlook the local primary school playground.

"You don't know who will move into those houses in future it does not see the right place to build the houses."

The applicant was unavailable to comment.