A SCHEME to build 33 executive apartments at the site of a former garden centre and horticultural nursery in Clitheroe has been recommended for refusal by planners.

Merewood Homes of Matland near Kendal has unveiled plans on behalf of a private developer to build apartments at the site.

The matter comes up before Ribble Valley Council's Planning and Development Committee at a meeting in the council chamber tonight.

But planning officers have recommended refusal on the grounds that Ribble Valley is swamped with plush homes and needs more affordable housing. Merewood wants to build the apartments in three blocks featuring balconies, basement garages and landscaped areas.

Senior planning officer John Macholc said: "The design of the development and the scheme utilises the topography of the land and I am also satisfied it safeguards privacy for existing dwellings, but the main issue is the over-supply of housing in Ribble Valley."

Ribble Valley was told by the Government to build 2,400 new houses between 1991 and 2006, but the meeting will hear 2,912 houses have already been built, with a further 866 having planning permission, a potential over-supply of 57 per cent.

Clitheroe Community Church has expressed interest in developing the site as a homeless unit and affordable housing.

The church, based in Millthorn Avenue, hosted a meeting in June attended by representatives of homeless charity Shelter, the police and Ribble Valley Council, to discuss developing the site for social housing but nearby residents protested amid rumours it might also include a centre for asylum seekers. They have written 18 letters supporting the executive housing plans.