AN "eyesore" plot in the middle of Barnoldswick is set to be developed as the controversial site for two new bungalows.

Land next to Station House - the dental practice opposite the old library on Fernlea Avenue - has stood empty and overgrown for several years. It fronts onto Fernlea Avenue, the main road through the town, and at the back overlooks the Co-Operative supermarket.

To the side are the Centenary Gardens, developed to mark the 100th anniversary of a local council in Barnoldswick, but the untidy state of the site next to the gardens has led to complaints in the past.

In 1999, an outline planning application was refused for an office development with a flat on the site, on the grounds that there was no provision for car parking. That decision was overturned on appeal in February 2000, but nothing has happened since then. The latest application sought full planning permission for a pair of semi-detached bungalows on the town centre site.

A planning officer's report to Pendle Council's West Craven committee stated: "The proposed pair of bungalows sits comfortably within the site, set back from the front edge of the site by approximately 5.5 metres with garden area to one side only and short rear gardens of approximately three metres.

"The bungalows are designed with gable roofs with simple details and fenestration (windows), including features such as chimney stacks, stone heads and sills and quoins. A conservatory is shown on the side of the bungalow with the larger side garden area. Natural stone and blue slate are proposed."

However, the report added that no vehicle access to the site was shown in the plans, nor dedicated parking places within the site. That stretch of Fernlea Avenue, sandwiched between two pelican crossings, was considered unsuitable for any more access points.

Recommending approval of the plans, the report added: "The use of the site for residential purposes near to the edge of the defined town centre is considered to be acceptable. The bungalows are most suited to elderly persons who would find the proximity of town centre amenities a benefit and who are less likely to require car parking facilities."

Barnoldswick Town Council had expressed concern over the plans, suggesting it was an inappropriate location for housing. These concerns were reiterated when West Craven committee met, by town council chairman Coun Maureen Blackwell.

"There are already serious access problems with cars trying to get in and out of Station House. I think some other use for that site would be much better and people wouldn't buy a house where they can't park.

But Barnoldswick Coun Marlene Hill-Crane, disagreed, saying: "The entire site has been such a mess for such a long time, I think this would benefit the area."

Proposing approval of the plans, she said that parking wasn't an issue as the public car park adjoining the supermarket was just a stone's throw away.

Seconding her, fellow Barnoldswick councillor Allan Buck said the point about the houses not having designated parking places probably applied to about 80 to 90 per cent of the housing in Barnoldswick.

Planning permission was approved subject to a range of conditions.