PLANNING councillors will be urged to throw out an application to demolish industrial units at Bentgate Works, Haslingden, and to replace them with 68 flats.

The outline planning application will be discussed by Rossendale's engineering and planning committee on Tuesday.

Officers are recommending refusal, although nine out of 11 letters from local residents have expressed general support.

Councillors will be told that the plan is for 46 flats in three two-storey blocks to the rear of cottages in Bent Street and for a further 22 flats at the rear of New Haven Nursery, Manchester Road.

Part of the site is in the green belt. The building of houses is not one of the limited range of uses accepted on green belt land.

Present occupiers of the units would be displaced and would need to be relocated.

Recommending refusal, officers say the very special circumstances needed to justify development in the green belt had not been demonstrated.