A GAS storage facility will not been given the go-ahead until councillors are reassured that there is no danger of explosion.

Plans to store liquid petroleum gas at a site in Burnley's Heasandford Industrial Estate have been put on hold until the development control committee is confident that mine gas from old coal workings will not explode.

More than 70 residents on the Lydgate estate have petitioned the council to refuse the application, by Alta Gas Ltd, to store and distribute up to 150 tonnes of lpg on the site around 250metres from their homes.

They have joined ward councillors and Briercliffe parish council in raising concerns over fire dangers and noise and fume problems on the estate where another company already stores 90 tonnes of liquid gas.

Development control councillors deferred a decision last month to allow a site visit, but on Thursday are being urged to approve full planning permission for storage on the site, and to allow their officers to grant Hazardous Substance Consent, subject to a satisfactory mine gas risk assessment.

Their report to members shows that despite the safety concerns, Lancashire Fire Service had raised no objection and the Health and Safety Executive found the risks to the local population so small that there were no significant reasons for refusing the applications on safety grounds.

They say the HSE's Major Hazard Unit was aware of the mine gas issue when making its report.

Officers say restrictions can be put in place to cut down on noise and soften the visual impact of the site. AN assurance that mine gas from old coal workings did not pose a danger of explosion at a liquid petroleum gas storage site planned at Burnley's Heasandford industrial estate is expected to be demanded by councillors before they approve the proposal.

More than 70 residents on the Lydgate estate have petitioned the council to refuse an application by Alta Gas Ltd to store and distribute up to 150 tonnes of lpg on the site around 250metres from their homes.

They have joined ward councillors and Briercliffe parish council in raising concerns over fire dangers and noise and fume problems on the estate where another company already stores 90 tonnes of liquid gas.

Development control councillors deferred a decision last month to allow a site visit, but on Thursday are being urged to approve full planning permission for storage on the site, and to allow their officers to grant Hazardous Substance Consent, subject to a satisfactory mine gas risk assessment.

Their report to members shows that despite the safety concerns, Lancashire Fire Service had raised no objection and the Health and Safety Executive found the risks to the local population so small that there were no significant reasons for refusing the applications on safety grounds.

They say the Executive's Major Hazard Unit was aware of the mine gas issue when making its report.

Officers say restrictions can be put in place to cut down on noise and soften the visual impact of the site.