A decision over plans to build to a £1.3m community sports hall has been delayed over traffic concerns.
The Observer reported last month how Accrington and Rossendale College had submitted an application to the council for a multi-purpose sports fitness centre on their Broad Oak Road campus.
The centre will be used by both students and the community for a wide range of sports.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved however councillors at a committee meeting this week opted to defer a decision to allow for a site visit and more talks between the college and residents over the access of traffic to the site.
More than a dozen objection letters and petition had been sent to the council by residents on Broad Oak road opposing the application.
John Fay, agent acting on behalf of the college, said ‘untold damage’ could be caused to the college’s Ofsted rating and reputation with funding agencies if the scheme was refused.
He told the meeting how £750,000 had been secured from the Schools Funding Agency for the building and would be lost if it wasn’t spent before September this year.
A further £300,000 has also been secured from Sport England. The college have also agreed to install bollards on Broad Oak Road to prevent access at weekends and maintaining current opening hours.
Campaigners Phil and Yvonne Grimshaw, who live on Broad Oak Road, said they were ‘delighted’ with the deferrment.
Speaking after the meeting Yvonne said: “We are very pleased.We are not opposed to the plan, it’s just the access. We will happily meet with the college.”
