COUNCILLORS have criticised a housing association for planting ‘unsuitable’ trees.

Onward Homes has added firs to its estate at St Paul’s Court, Worsley Court and Meadow Court on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle.

It is part of spruce-up including a wild flower meadow.

But the town’s county councillor Peter Britcliffe and his Immanuel ward borough colleague Cllr Judith Addison objected to the choice of pine trees instead of native British alternatives.

The 25-year-old estate has 66 mainly one and two-bedroomed flats with the majority of the ground floor flats sheltered for older and disabled residents.

County Cllr Britcliffe has written to Onward Homes saying: “I am delighted that environmental improvements are taking place but I am writing to ask why the fir trees have been planted?

"They are totally out of keeping with the area.

"Please can they be replaced with something more appropriate.”

Cllr Addison said: “Two residents have complained. I agree the trees seem entirely unsuitable for the location, as they are not a ‘native species’, are too big and could potentially cause damage to the flats in due course.”

Rich Barley, environmental manager of Onward Homes, said: “We have invested lot of time and money into the project.

“Residents and neighbourhood specialists were consulted prior to the work being started and feedback was very positive.

“The area has been neglected for a long time.

"The planting of these pine trees is just the start of an extensive landscape improvement plan to that land, step one of many.

“The wildflowers will bloom in July and were selected with care.

“This plot of land will also include a Himalayan birch trees, autumn flowering cherry trees and boulders using the same stone as the nearby buildings.

“The pine trees will provide all year round colour and will help soften the landscape once everything is planted.

"The same pine trees are used on many motorways to help reduce pollution and noise.”