A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to change a former textile shuttle factory into flats and shops has been blocked.

Councillors refused planning permission for the conversion of the former Halstead's site in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, into nine flats above four shops, even though the developer agreed to abide by strict conditions to allay traffic fears.

A 867-name petition objecting to plans to include a Co-op convenience store within the retail complex was handed in at a meeting of Pendle Council Barrowford area committee.

John Starkie, on behalf of the architects of the scheme, told councillors the plans had been altered to meet previous worries about the project. He said the developers were willing to enter a legal agreement with the council restricting the size of the lorries delivering to the shops and the hours when deliveries would take place to avoid problems manoeuvring in the complex's car park. Rumours going round the village that the store would be a supermarket were wrong. "I believe it's an attractive scheme that will be an asset to the village," Mr Starkie added.

Council planning officer Stan Healey said planners would support the scheme if the agreements were made. But parish councillor Tony Dixon said the complex would sound the death knell for some traders if it went ahead.

"I think the whole thing is not for Barrowford," he told the meeting.

Coun Alan Vickerman said: "Barrowford is adequately served by small shops and I think this large unit would be detrimental to the village. We have traffic problems on the main road year after year and we never address it. This will add to them."

Colleague Coun Richard Nelson said previous planning approval for the site had been for smaller shops. The introduction of a large store "changed the complexion of the position totally".

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