THE owners of a controversial car repair workshop have been ordered to remove nine flue pipes after residents complained their health is being damaged by paint.

A packed council chamber at Colne Town Hall heard arguments for a retrospective planning application for the construction of the flues at J Macadam and Son Ltd, in North Valley Road, Colne.

Residents at the meeting of the Colne Committee expressed their feelings about the site. Sarah Bennett, who lives nearby, said she feared the emissions could lead to people contracting cancer.

She said: "Imagine six of these at the bottom of your garden? If these chimneys are so safe why do we have to feel like prisoners and not be able to open our windows."

At a previous committee meeting a decision on whether to grant permission for the flues was deferred while environmental health officers investigated concerns.

Representing Macadam, Andrew Buchanan said the products the company uses all meet strict European and government regulations.

He said: "It is the company's strict obligation to make sure the people who work in the building are safe.

"I would like to make it plain the company takes these concerns very seriously.

"If this application is granted it will enable us to talk to residents about these concerns."

Councillors passed a motion refusing the permission on the grounds of their visual impact and the impact they have on people.

The company will be sent an enforcement notice telling them to remove the flues, but they can still operate without them.

Coun Alan Davies said: "My instinct is it ought not to be taking place in that area. I wish Macadam all the success in the world but they shouldn't be doing it where people live."