A RESIDENTIAL care home could be built despite local opposition.

AJP Chartered Surveyors submitted a proposal to Burnley Council to create a new residential nursing home at the Paddock, in Highfield Avenue.

The application relates to a detached building, formerly a large house, which was extended and used as a care home for the elderly.

It was first granted residential home use in 1987 which was restricted by condition to accommodation of elderly people only.

The submitted layout plans reveals the proposed scheme of up to 22 en-suite bedrooms, which will be available for services users and overnight staff. If the plans are approved, the applicant proposes to create an additional eight parking spaces - three more than it's original proposal.

The applicant suggested the proposed care home could be used for people who are in rehabilitation from severe mental health conditions and to also care for people with disabilities or young children.

Neighbouring residents have sent a number of objection letters to the council since the application was submitted in January this year.

They have said the property is not suitable for people in rehabilitation or for young children and the home should be restricted to a maximum of 16 elderly people because they fear more would 'adversely affect' the residential amenity of neighbours.

Residents said they feared the eight additional parking spaces, which increased from the originally proposed five, would result in 'unacceptable additional disturbance' and a hazard through vehicle movement.

The objections against more residential parking has come following the refusal of a previous planning application to adapt the building last year.

Plans to provide 'high quality' accommodation for young doctors and medical students, linked to the nearby Burnley Teaching Hospital, was refused on the grounds of inadequate off-street car parking provision.

Cllr Ann Royle, who represents the area, said: "I have no problem with a new care home.

"It's a nice area round there.

"No residents have contacted me about the issue of parking but it's something I will look into."

The proposed development will be discussed by councillors at Burnley's development control committee meeting in Burnley Town Hall on Thursday.