RESIDENTS in Burnley have lost their battle to stop a controversial drug treatment centre being built.

Last night Burnley Council's development control committee gave the green light for the £1.6million centre, to be housed in the former Burnley House care home, Westgate.

But people living near the Grade II-listed building fought the scheme over concerns of having drug addicts so close to their homes.

Last year they put up a sign that said 'Say no to Burnley drug project'.

The project is a joint venture between Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, Burnley Council, the Probation Service, police, Burnley Community Safety Partnership and the Lancashire Drug Action Team.

The council meeting heard from Peter Lauder, who was speaking for residents of nearby Clifton Street. He presented a 300-name petition and said there were 34 children on the 51-home street and the location of the centre should not be in a residential area.

He added the vast majority of people coming into Burnley do so by the Gannow Top roundabout and they would be put off by seeing signs for the centre.

Mr Lauder said: "I'm looking forward to the unprecedented changes to the town. Visitors to Burnley will see the drug centre sign and some of them will drive round the roundabout and go straight back home."

John Cave echoed Mr Lauder's comments, fearing people from Pendle and Rossendale could move to empty homes in the town to be eligible for treatment.

He said: "This is not just a change of use, it's more a case of a change of use for the town."

Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham said the purpose of the centre was to get addicts to stop committing crimes and find employment.

"The problems of drug misuse in Burnley are more acute than any where else in the county. In my view, the current provisions are inadequate."

Dr Ellis Friedman said there was a link between drug misuse and crime and he wanted residents to sit on the steering committee so everyone can work together.

He added: "It is important to realise this is not a residential facility and it is a site for the people of Burnley, not Pendle or Rossendale."