HUNCOAT residents this week lost the fight to stop the construction of more industrial units on Bolton Avenue.

Despite an impassioned plea from Councillor Dave Parkins, Hyndburn Council's Planning Committee granted permission for the erection of three large storage units and 21 smaller industrial units to the rear of the former Buchan's building.

The units will be arranged around a single access road off Whinney Hill Road, more or less opposite the Accrington Nori factory.

The applicant, Revelan Estates (Wigston), has promised to include disabled parking spaces, facilities for motorcycle storage and cycle and pedestrian routes.

Councillor Parkins, speaking on behalf of the residents, said the main objection to the plan was the increased traffic along Bolton Avenue, which already struggles to cope with existing levels.

Residents claim the road already carries too much heavy goods traffic and further noise, vibration and dust would be created.

Councillor Parkins said: "Traffic on Bolton Avenue will be increased by seven per cent during peak morning periods and 21 per cent in the evenings."

Other councillors asked Councillor Parkins whether the employment benefits outweighed the traffic problem and whether the new plans would be any worse than when Buchan's building was in use.

Councillor Parkins replied: "I have lived on Bolton Avenue for 30 years and traffic has always been a problem. If we increase it, it will be horrendous."

He added: "When Buchan's was operational we only had to deal with its traffic every two to three months, so yes, this would affect us more clearly.''

Lancashire's Highways Department disagreed with the residents' objections, stating Bolton Avenue was "more than adequate" to accommodate the extra volume of traffic.

Planning officer Simon Prideux explained that only around 30 houses would be affected, compared to the number of jobs that would be created if the plan was to go ahead.

He explained: "The land is Brown Belt land designated for industrial building. It meets the requirements of our policy and on those grounds it is very hard to turn down.''

The plan was passed by five votes to four.