COUNCILLORS should seize their last chance to prevent a major gateway into Nelson from remaining an eyesore, planning officers said.

Outline plans for 27 houses and 25 apartments at the former Lamberts timber store, Manchester Road, have already been approved, but details of design and layout will go before Pendle Council's Nelson Committee on Monday night.

The proposal would also mean building a new access road to the houses, and part of Kensington Street, at its junction with Manchester Road, being blocked off.

In his report to councillors, planning officer Paul Whittingham warned that if the scheme was not given the final go-ahead, the developers would have to submit a full new application - which would fall foul of the ban on new housing in the borough introduced after the original permission was given.

Mr Whittingham said: "The site has been derelict for a number of years and does not make a positive contribution to the local area or to the gateway site and main road frontage that is used significantly as a route into Nelson.

"The development of this site will contribute to the regeneration of both Whitefield and Nelson due to its prominence, but because of the current housing restraint policy this submission is the last opportunity to see this site developed in the medium term."

It is hoped that, if the application is approved, work will start on the site, which has been hit by fires, early next year.

Mr Whittingham said the development had been planned to work sensitively with the area and overcome problems of steep slopes on the site.

He said: "This scheme provides a dense and interesting development which contributes positively to the gateway location and to the surrounding land uses."