COUNCILLORS have approved the building of replacement stable and storage block in a West Pennine moorland village despite fears about enforcing the conditions imposed on the scheme.

Members of Blackburn with Darwen Planning committee granted permission for the proposal on land to the rear of 191 to 193 Bolton Road, Edgworth

This was despite fears that applicants Mr and Mrs Ramwell might use it for a dog walking business.

It had generated 16 letters if objection from neighbours as well as one from North Turton Parish Council.

The objectors are worried about the size of the proposed new stone building and whether it will be actually used to stable horses in view of a dog walking business currently run by the applicants.

The new building will replace the existing timber ones on the site.

The planning permission included a condition that: "The development hereby approved shall only be used for the stabling of horses owned or leased by the respective site owners and no commercial operations

shall take place from the site whatsoever following the development being brought into use."

But Blackburn South and Lower Darwen Conservative Cllr Jacquie Slater said the town hall did not have the staff to monitor whether the condition was complied with.

Tory regeneration spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow said: "We have a very poor record of enforcing these conditions."

Mr Prescott admitted his officers would have to rely on neighbours to alert them of any breaches but said West Pennine councillor Jean Rigby, who had objected to the planning application, would be monitoring compliance.

Cllr Riley said: "These are unattractive buildings. This just looks like an improvement to me."

The application was approved with the Conservative councillors voting against.