A new bid has been made to turn a detached four-bedroom family home into a small care home.

Altham-based Trinity Care wants to turn 7 Bluebell Way, Huncoat, into residential care home for a mother and baby (or for two children) supported by up to three carers.

The firm has submitted parallel bids for the conversion - for a certificate of lawful use and a full planning application for change of use from a domestic house.

It is the second time it has tried to convert the detached home after a previous attempt in August came to nothing.

Meanwhile Francis Ashcroft of Preston-based Hexagon Care Services Ltd has applied for a lawful use certificate to convert 95 Hawthorn Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, into a children's home for a maximum of three children with three carers and a manager with two sleeping overnight and working on a rota basis.

In August the deputy chairman of Hyndburn Council's planning committee Cllr Judith Addison expressed concern over the 'mushrooming industry' of such conversions.

She was particularly alarmed at the increasing use of certificates of lawful use rather than full planning applications for such proposals.

Supporting documents for Trinity's Bluebell Way applications say: "The application seeks to change the use of the building for the care of children, and the use would provide accommodation for up to two children.

"This is a change of use from residential property to a residential institution with no external changes proposed.

"Children will be supported by staff members, with maximum two staff members in the house at any one time.

"One full time resident would occupy the property.

"The development would create a number of staffing opportunities.

"The proposals would provide a residential use with clear social benefits in respect of the provision of living accommodation where care is provided which would assist in the provision of an essential residential use at a highly-sustainable location close to local amenities, public transport and within walking distance of retail and leisure facilities."

A planning statement submitted with the application for Hawthorn Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, says: "Hexagon Care Services is an established independent care provider operating nationally.

"One of its core services is the provision of independent, individual care homes for young people under the age of 18.

"Hexagon Care Services prides itself on ensuring that its homes are warm, nurturing places to live, encouraging education, hobbies and leisure activities.

"For the benefit of the young people in its care it is essential that its homes mirror a normal housing environment in touch with the wider community."