The decision on whether the conversion of a semi-detached family home in Great Harwood into a small care home should be allowed to go ahead has been deferred.

Councillors on Hyndburn Council's Planning Committee will now make a site visit before debating the scheme,

Iklam Ahmed, from Blackburn's Aspire Care Network, has applied for full planning permission to turn the house in Allsprings Drive into a children's home for a maximum of two children, with three carers, two of whom will sleep overnight on a rota basis.

An officer's report recommended the committee to grant permission for the conversion with four conditions when it met on Wednesday,

A previous application for a certificate of lawful use for the change was refused by the committee in July.

The new proposal was to be considered by the meeting at the request of Overton ward's Cllr Scott Brerton because of his concerns about residential amenities, highways, parking and traffic.

Five nearby residents had objected on grounds including inadequate parking, concerns about the qualities of the applicant’s company in relation to childcare, concern about outdoor noise, music playing and such, and concerns about anti-social behaviour.

But at the suggestion of planning committee chair Cllr Dave Parkins, the councillors agreed to defer consideration of the item pending a site visit.

The planning officer's report told councillors: "The application relates to a semi-detached dwelling house, one of a pair set at the junction of Allsprings Drive with Harwood Lane (B6535).

"The property is of two storeys having two living rooms, either side of a central hallway, and kitchen on the ground floor, and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.

"The application proposes the change of use of the dwelling house to a children’s care home.

"Lancashire County Council highways have not objected because overflow parking is provided in a gated area at Park House, and the Environmental Health Officer has dismissed noise nuisance because Park House is in the same ownership.

"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."