TWO more family houses have been earmarked as possible small children homes in a borough where a senior councillor has expressed concern over the 'mushrooming industry' of such conversions.

The deputy chairman of Hyndburn Council's planning committee Cllr Judith Addison raised the issue at its meeting earlier this month.

She asked for a full report on the growth of applications for certificates of lawful use for such proposals.

Now Altham-based Trinity Care and Education Services Ltd has submitted two more such proposal to the council.

They are in Bluebell Way, Huncoat and Three Brooks Way, Oswaldtwistle.

Neighbouring Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley Councils have also received applications of a similar nature this month.

The former has received a request for a certificate of lawful use to turn Sanderson Mitchell House in Moorside Road, Edgworth, into a childrens home for a maximum of four children, with two carers sleeping overnight, working on a rota basis from Care 4 Every Child in Hyde.

Burnley Council has received a similar bid for a house on Todmorden Road in Burnley from Darwen-based Associated Wellbeing.

Cllr Addison said earlier this month: "We are getting a lot of these.

"This is a mushrooming industry of turning family houses into care homes.

"Residents don't think this is right. They think these applications are being made and often passed in inappropriate locations.

"It isn't going to go away."

She made her comments after this month's meeting of Hyndburn Council's planning committee deferred considering applications for Certificate of Lawful Development to use 30 Epping Avenue in Altham and 10 Troutbeck in Clayton-le-Moors as small children's care home until the next meeting on September 7.

Borough planning manager Simon Prideaux has promised councillors he provide information and guidance to the September 7 meeting.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee chairman Cllr Dave Smith shares her concerns and said: "I would agree this is a mushrooming industry.

"It is a lucrative business especially in East Lancashire where houses are cheaper than down south."

The supporting statement for Bluebell Way says: "The facts of the matter are that the provision in this case will be a household. The children will reside there permanently.

"This proposal is in our opinion a more modern appreciation of a family home, acknowledging that this does not have a one-size-fits-all operation or appearance."