RESIDENTS have objected to plans to transform a workshop site in Cowling into a housing complex.

The car dealer Walter C Brigg has submitted an application to build 15 four-bedroom houses on the site of its existing workshop at Lane Ends in the village.

Villagers are concerned that the houses would be three storeys and could generate an increase in traffic movements in that area.

Resident John Bell, who lives opposite the site, told members of Cowling Parish Council on Monday he had no objection to an "appropriate redevelopment" of the site or even housing on the land.

However, he added that he and some of his neighbours felt this particular proposal was not suitable.

"We feel that a three storey approach is out of character with the rest of the houses fronting on to Keighley Road and out of character with anything at all in Cowling, well anything in the immediate vicinity," Mr Bell commented.

He added that he believed the development was too large for the site and the impact on the traffic levels in that area would be significant.

Mr Bell said at the moment Walter C Brigg used the site to store cars and this use did not create too much traffic.

The size of the development, he added, could mean a considerable increase in the amount of traffic to an area that he described as being like a "rat run".

"There will be a very real danger to life and limb," he warned. "We feel if this goes ahead as planned without significant traffic calming measures, it will be a disaster waiting to happen."

Members of Cowling Parish Council also raised objections to the plans.

Coun Maurice Benson said: "They are three storey monstrosities!"

There was further opposition from Coun Malcolm Smith, who described the proposed design as "very weird".

He commented that more research should be conducted into whether the site could be used for small industrial units and whether grant funding could be secured for such a project.

"That site is probably the best small business site we have got in Cowling. It's the only one left," Coun Smith added.

The majority of councillors agreed that the development was too dense, out of keeping with the surrounding area and could compromise traffic safety.

Roger Brigg, of Walter C Brigg, said the company's main operations were conducted from The Crossings business park in Cross Hills, and the Lane Ends site was used for preparing and storing vehicles.

He added that in the future the company wanted to deal with vehicle transporter lorries at the Crossings site rather than at Cowling. Indeed the firm wanted to transfer all operations to the business park.

This move, he argued, would drastically reduce the number of trips the company made to Cowling, which would, therefore, reduce the number of vehicle movements through the busy streets of Cross Hills and Glusburn.

He added: "I don't think local residents would like three to four transporters a day unloading down there."

Mr Brigg added that his architects had come up with the three-storey design in line with Government guidelines to get as many houses on to a site as possible.