IMPROVEMENTS to country lanes leading to a booming village are being demanded.

Ribble Valley Council's planning committee is to write to Lancashire County Council expressing concern at the state of Elker Lane and Northcote Road, two main routes into Brockhall village.

A total of six applications relating to the Brockhall area were submitted to the committee for consideration.

But Coun Chris Holtom said something had to be done about the state of the roads if development was to continue.

He said: "In some places the roads are eroding at the edges and the verges have gone completely. It really is awful.

"I wouldn't say there has been a massive increase in traffic recently but there is certainly a more consistent level of traffic than when Brockhall was a hospital. Then you would have staff going in for shifts but now you have continuous traffic.

"The lanes are being ripped apart. We cannot keep looking at these proposals when the area is served by sub-standard roads."

Applications by Blackburn Rovers to add a hydro-training pool and accommodation at the site were approved, as was a plan to change the layout of a sports field.

Separate proposals from Gerald Hitman for two office buildings and 20 flats were rejected. A decision on the renewal of permission for a riding centre on Northcote Road was deferred.

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