FIVE new industrial units are set to be built on the edge of a town despite 39 objections including disturbing a pair of breeding curlews.

Eshton Investments Ltd want to turn the 33 acres of pastureland on Accrington Road between Burnley and Hapton into a 50,000 square metre mini-commercial estate.

The site is near the Network 65 business park, the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and M65 junction 9.

Burnley's development control committee today/tomorrow (THURS) has been recommended to approve an outline planning application for the scheme despite the objections.

They include:

• the loss of wildlife and natural habitat including a pair of breeding curlews, numerous birds of prey and herds of deer;

* the amount of traffic and heavy goods vehicles on an already dangerous road;

• the loss of open countryside, attractive undulating landscape, and breathtaking views;

• it will be a blot on the landscape, an eyesore, spoiling the entry into Hapton - a small rural area spoilt by constant creeping of industrial units;

• it will cause environmental damage, pollution, noise, dust, smells and fumes;

• removal of land that provides natural flood defence for Padiham and other towns and villages downstream; and

• the presence of ancient burial grounds.

A planning officer's report says: "The proposed amount of development is up to 50,000 square metres of gross floorspace of buildings for the following employment uses: light industrial; general industry; and storage and distribution.

"Lancashire County Council highways has no objection to the outline application subject to the following measures: roundabout alterations (at Junction 9 of M65/Accrington Road); new bus stops in both directions close to the proposed site entrance; and a bus service contribution of £60,000 per annum over five years to expand the frequency of services.

"The submitted plans indicate that a planted embankment would front Accrington Road which would partially screen the development.

"It would be possible to respect the transitional nature of the site from the rural to urban are with appropriate depth and type of native tree planting.

"The principle of the development would accord with the council`s allocation of employment land.

"Objections to the proposal have been considered but the issues in respect of transport, highway safety, ecology, drainage and residential amenities can be satisfactorily managed by conditions.

"The proposed development would be accompanied by economic benefits to the economy and local population."

The report recommends approval with 37 conditions subject to Eshton agreeing to make developer contributions to improve public transport and footpaths.