Councillors have been recommended to end the eight-month planning saga over a proposed small care home by approving the controversial proposal.

Kenneth Tomkins of Jigsaw Children's Home Ltd originally proposed the conversion of the two-storey mid-terrace property family home in Whalley Road, Clayton Le Moors, in February.

The following month, his application was refused by Hyndburn Council planning committee.

He then put forward a scaled-down version reducing the number of children being looked after from three to two.

Last month the committee deferred making a decision pending a site visit.

When it meets on Wednesday to debate the application, an officer's report has recommended approval with four conditions.

The plans have generated objections from 10 nearby residents and Clayton-le-Moors ward's Cllr Melissa Fisher over parking, noise, disturbance and road safety.

The property has a lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor, and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.

There is a rear garden and a forecourt garden laid as hard standing providing two car parking spaces.

The planning officer's report says: "The application proposes the change of use of a mid-terrace dwelling house to a children’s care home.

"A rear dormer roof extension and insertion of roof lights in the front roof slope are also proposed to facilitate the conversion of the roof space to provide two additional bedrooms.

"Care would be provided by staff working on a shift/rota basis.

"The property is in a main road position, fronting Whalley Road (A680), being at the edge of a mature residential area.

"Across Whalley Road, it faces open space in Wilson Playing Fields.

"The applicant has submitted further information seeking to overcome the reasons for refusal of the previous application, including letters in support and a Noise Management Plan.

"The principle of housing cared-for children in a sustainable location, as part of an existing residential area, close to services and schools, is not under question.

"It is existing government policy, regulated and administered under specific legislation. As such, that principle is not a planning consideration.

"The proposed change of use of the dwelling house to a children’s care home would be likely to have minimal adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring dwelling houses or the residential area generally.

"The Highway Authority is content with the proposal as regards matters of highway safety.

"Conditions are recommended in order to restrict the use and require the retention of car parking space."