A NEW canalside development in Brierfield could provide a windfall of more than £100,000 for transport initiatives across the town.

Blueprints for 85 new homes, on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, off Clitheroe Road, are set to be debated by the Brierfield and Reedley committee on Monday.

Councillors have been told that the complex, including 10 detached homes, 45 townhouses and 30 apartments, is suitable.

Under planning laws, the developer will be liable to pay a sum of up to £105,840 for transport improvements in Brierfield, based on the accessibility of the site.

But highways chiefs have raised a number of issues before planning consent is granted for the Miller Homes proposals.

Roads experts say that the existing Berkeley Street is too close to the canal bridge in Clitheroe Road and causes highway safety problems through poor visibility.

However the Miller blueprints show the newly-created Berkley Mews - the main access road through the development - as even closer to the bridge.

A Lancashire County Council highways spokesman says: "It would be preferable to redesign the layout to achieve a distance of 70 metres between the Berkeley Mews and Clitheroe Road junction, and the centre of the canal bridge."

Highways officials are also unhappy about the block paving being used for the roads and recommends a bitumen or Macadam surface instead.

And the width of Berkeley Mews' footpath is less than two metres - which is the county council's minimum standard.

Developers also intend to use a diesel generator at night to power security lights, but environmental health officers say this method can be too noisy and a petrol-driven alternative should be considered.

Work will take place before any construction starts to demolish the existing blocks in Veevers Street, Belgrave Street, Claremont Street and Berkeley Street.

Planners have urged the developers to use as much of the original stone from the demolition in the new apartments and townhouses site.

The site is opposite the grade II listed Brierfield Mills and just outside Brierfield Conservation Area.