A FORMER village pub is set to be demolished to make way for houses - despite complaints from neighbours and a campaign group.

Developers want to knock down the disused Gordon Lennox pub, Burnley Road, Cliviger, and build four town houses with parking there.

The scheme has been given the support of Burnley Council planners, who have recommended councillors back it.

But residents say the homes would cause traffic problems and campaigners are worried about the loss of an "historic" building.

In a council report, Burnley Civic Trust said: "This is an historic public house with an historic name, built of natural millstone and with nice proportioned windows.

"It would be detrimental to demolish it and replace it with four town houses. A conversion of the existing building would be better."

Council officers have received six objections from residents, with some claiming there will be "serious parking, obstruc-tion and highway safety problems" with the homes.

However, highways chiefs from Lancashire County Council have said they have no issues with the proposal, as long as their instructions are followed.

However, despite the opposition from residents, councillors are next week likely to give council bosses powers to grant planning permission to raze the former pub to the ground.

The report concludes: "The building is not of such significance and importance to justify refusal of a suitable redevelopment proposal."