A SITE earmarked to replace parking spaces lost to a controversial bus lane could instead be developed for housing.

Hyndburn Borough Council leader Peter Britcliffe is urging county chiefs to buy the Union Road site next to Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre to provide ‘vitally needed parking’ before it is too late.

Lancashire County Council has suggested turning the former Peel Court care home site into a car park to replace parking lost to the Rapid Transit scheme.

But the privately-owned land is up for sale, with planning permission granted for housing.

Coun Britcliffe said the parking was ‘a must’ for businesses and schools in the area, ‘regardless’ of the Rapid Transit bus lane scheme becoming a reality.

He also fears any development would make the site too expensive for a council to buy later.

He has now made an offer to Lancashire County Council that if it bought the land, the borough council would take responsibility of transforming it into a car park.

He said: “Parking is urgently needed in this area because as well as protecting the future of businesses on Union Road, there is also a school and the civic theatre to think of.

“A wrong was done to the community by the county’s previous administration, when this site was sold at public auction a few years ago.

“I am asking the present county council to right that wrong and we will work in joint partnership with them.

“It is a win-win situation for everyone if action is taken quickly enough.”

The proposed bus lane between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen would see extra restrictions to on-street parking at Union Road.

Mike Kirby, director of strategic planning and transport at the county council said: “We will look closely at his suggestion.

“We are in regular contact with the borough council and the matter of car parking in Oswaldtwistle will no doubt be discussed soon.”