LAST-ditch talks are set to take place in a bid to save a much-used car park in a Pendle village.

Campaigners in Salterforth have been told there are few legitimate planning reasons why the former Silentnight offices in Earby Road should not be pulled down in favour of a new 51-home development.

Nearly 70 residents packed out the village hall to protest that the proposals, by Seddon Homes, would increase the size of Salterforth by 40 per cent.

Protester Roger Ingham said: “How many times have we seen a beautiful historic village ruined for profit by developers?”

Helena Dunsdon, Salterforth Primary School headteacher, added: “We have real concerns regarding the safe arrival of our children and their parents for lessons, concerts, fairs and parents’ evenings.”

But objectors were told by Pendle Council planning manager Neil Watson that, in design terms, the mix of three and four bedroom homes planned, some over two-and-a-half storeys, was acceptable.

Under a planning deal offered by the developers, Salterforth would receive £51,000 for open space improvements, £30,000 for a toucan crossing on Kelbrook Road and other sums for bus stop improvements.

The chief concern among many residents remained the former Silentnight car park, which was also used for the village’s annual fun day.

Roberta Cameron, a planning consultant for Seddon Homes, said villagers had been allowed to use the car park as a ‘goodwill gesture’ for many years.

An offer of a 20-space car park, alongside 92 spaces for the 51 homes, had been made, the West Craven area committee was told.

Coun David Whipp said the application should be deferred for further discussions over the car park and highway safety concerns, and the area committee agreed.