RESIDENTS in Colne are celebrating their victory in overturning plans for an Indian restaurant in the former Langroyd Methodist Church.

Councillors went against planning officers' recommendations and refused the application on the grounds of residential amenity and lack of parking spaces.

Before the meeting, residents had signed a petition and others sent in letters setting out their concerns.

The plans included turning the first floor into a restaurant and the ground floor in to a function room, as well providing a small car park next to the building.

Resident Rene Broadhurst spoke on behalf of her neighbours in Dickson Street, saying their main objection was the parking problem.

She said: "We have a big problem as it stands now. If they make a car park for 15 to 17 cars and they've got 10 to 12 staff who might all have cars, what happens to the overspill? They will be parking on our street. We daren't go out at night now because there's nowhere to park when we get back. It's horrendous.

"There's also the environmental health problem. For years we have had quite strong smells coming from the Chinese chip shop out the back and at night we have to keep our windows and doors shut. If this opened we would be stuck between the two."

Coun Ian Gilhespy was in full support of the residents and said if it was given the go-ahead the people in Dickson Street would suffer similar problems to those living near the Tulsi restaurant in Foulridge, who cannot open their windows because of the smell.

Coun Gill Gilhespy said: "I have to call into question the capabilities, knowledge and intelligence of the director of enivronment at the county council for recommending this for approval. He's telling us to move things off certain junctions up Byron Road and then he is approving something on a junction as busy as this. It's totally insane."

Mrs Broadhurst said after the meeting: "I am very, very pleased. I really didn't think it would be rejected."