A NEW housing estate of eight detached homes is to be built on a scrapyard despite a warning from the local councillors that it could become 'a white elephant'.

Hyndburn Council's planning committee approved the scheme on the former Alliance Mill site in Baxenden.

The permission was granted despite the concerns of the township's Conservative councillor Terry Hurn.

The proposal by Arthur Dunn was the fifth attempt to build houses on the site.

The 2.2 acres of land in Alliance Street has now been approved for eight four-bedroomed detached houses.

The site, last used as car scrapyard, has a culverted stream called Woodnook Water running across the site and connecting to a small lake.

Previous schemes have been refused, withdrawn or never built.

Local residents submitted a 67 signature petition in support of the latest plan, which would demolish the remaining mill buildings, to Hyndburn Council.

Cllr Hurn said he had 'serious concerns' about possible flooding on the site and access to the new homes from the 'very steep' Alliance Street in cold weather.

He told the planning committee meeting on Wednesday: "I think this development could be a white elephant.

"We have another housing estate in Baxenden where they have been unable to sell several properties.

"I have serious concerns about this application an potential flooding.

"It is not the ideal spot for new properties.

"Alliance Street is a very steep cobbled street and unless it is significantly upgraded there are going to be problems."

Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad backed the scheme saying: "I would rather have some housing there than leave the scrapyard and wait for something else to be proposed."

Rishton's Cllr Bernard Dawson said: "The 67 signature petition shows local people support this plan. It's definitely bringing the area up. It will improve the quality of life there."

His Netherton Labour colleague Cllr Noordad Aziz said: "This is a dilapidated site. These are four-bedroomed homes and the sort of big houses the borough needs.

"This scheme would be a welcome addition to not just Baxenden but the borough as a whole.

After the application was approved with 24 conditions, Cllr Hurn who voted against said: "I don't think this is right. I think we are asking for trouble."

Mr Dunn's agent Steven Hartley told the committee that the scheme had adequate flood protection measures and would regenerate a derelict brownfield site with high-quality homes and public open space.