COUNCIL bosses have made a U-turn on controversial plans to store five-tonne wagons in a cemetery amid fury from residents.

Rossendale Council applied for a Goods Vehicle Operator’s licence to add an operating centre to keep goods vehicles at Haslingden Cemetery in Grane Road.

The proposals, which would have seen four vehicles moved to the cemetery from The Whitaker museum, sparked a furious reaction from residents who said the plans showed a total lack of respect for grieving relatives of people buried there.

Now the council said it will be looking for a new site, with council leader Alyson Barnes saying it cannot ignore the strength of feeling against the plan.

Cllr Barnes said: "We are sorry to have caused any upset although it has been unfortunate that the wrong information about the application has been circulating in the public domain which we are sure would have increased people’s distress.

"Of course, I also accept we could have been clearer about the plans much earlier.

"Therefore, I have asked officers to review the decision, look at it again and find another solution. While the plans at Haslingden Cemetery would have had minimal impact to residents and cemetery visitors, I cannot ignore the strength of feeling against the plan.

"The issue has also highlighted that there is no formal mechanism for the council to discuss plans at our cemeteries with residents and cemeteries users."

Cllr Barnes said that developing proposals to support people to set-up 'Friends of groups', which exist at cemeteries on other boroughs, would be a positive step forward.

She added: "Friends groups would be independent of the Council and would be run by volunteers but the Council would be happy to provide support in terms of setting up and initial guidance. Should there be any changes to the cemetery, we can discuss them with the groups before decisions are made."