A SOCIAL club was saved from the bulldozers after planning chiefs blocked plans for it to be demolished to make way for houses.

But the owners of Clayton-le-Moors Sports and Social Club, in Moor Street, said they would appeal against the decision by Hyndburn Borough Council's planning committee.

Paul Riley, of Bolton-based owners Fretlane Ltd, said the club was losing £1,000 month because, although a new management team was brought in and customer numbers were rising, it was not enough.

He said he has also stopped youngsters from the adjacent youth club from using their bowling green, something, he said, they had permission to do in the first place.

The council's planning chiefs refused planning permission because the club had a bowling green and, as such, it was a greenfield site and there was already sufficient housing land within the borough.

This was despite pleas from Harry Jackson, of Fretlane, who disagreed with its classification as greenfield and said if it was left it could become a haven for fly-tippers.

Lancashire County Council Property Group, owners of an adjacent youth club, also objected to the plans because it was greenfield, it would block light reaching the club, future residents would be disturbed by the club, congestion and because a fire escape from the club is within the application site and needs to remain open.

Two letters were also received from residents who said that it would cause parking problems and Moor Street is already used as a 'rat-run.'

In April, the company installed Angela Calvert and her partner Gary Williams as managers.

Ms Calvert, who also runs Churchills nightclub, in Cannon Street, Accrington, said: "I was brought in to see if I could get it going again. It's fair to say it's a lot better than when we first came in, but there is still a long way to go before it is booming again."

But Mr Riley said that although numbers have increased, it was not enough for the club and it was still operating in the red.

"It will stay as it is for the time being. They have refused on the grounds that it was thriving and that it had a bowling green that was being used.

"It is costing us about £1,000 a month to run the club. It's not right that they have stopped us. We are going to appeal."

Ward councillor Tim O'Kane said: "I am against the demolition of the club, my main concern is that for four houses I would like us to look at a loss of an amenity to an area especially if it is well run."

Brent Clarkson, Chief Planning and Transportation Officer for Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "The proposed development would be partly located on a site which cannot be regarded as previously developed land.

"The development of the site would, therefore, run contrary to current government guidance and there is currently an adequate supply of housing land within the borough."