Councillors have raised concerns about a rise in attempts to turn Clitheroe properties into bedsits.

And Labour members have questioned Ribble Valley Council’s ability to check changes done inside houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Recent examples of bedsits bid include proposals for 3 Church Street and 27-29 Bawdlands.

Labour's Cllr Lee Jameson, opposition group leader, told a full councol meeting: “As we are currently experiencing an increase in planning applications for HMOs are our officers confident we have the right methods to assess these and right policies in our core strategy to be able to defend any potential refusals?

“There is a concern applications for buildings within the conservation area are having work done inside that may not be in the best interests of their historic structure. Do we have the resources to inspect these – or is it impossible?”

He added; “Clitheroe councillors appear to be having to call-in planning applications because it is unknown if the applications will appear on lists put before the planning committee. If this was known in advance, the number of potential call-ins could be reduced.”

Borough Tory leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: “The policies in the council’s core strategy are all up-to-date and provide a suitable basis to determine all types of development submitted, including houses of multi-occupation.

"There are currently two ‘live’ applications for HMOs that are being assessed against local and national planning policies.

“It is important to note not all HMO projects require a planning application. This is because permitted development rights exist for dwellings to be converted into small HMOs.

"Work may commence inside a building without a planning application because internal works, typically, do not need planning permission. This includes buildings in conservation areas.”

Cllr Atkinson added: “Only listed buildings are likely to need planning consent from a council for internal work. However, if work commences without an application or during the consideration of an application, the council’s enforcement officers will investigate any concerns raised and consider any necessary action.”

Regarding the roles of elected councillors and planning officers, he said: “For all types of planning applications, the council’s scheme of delegation dictates which should go to the planning committee and which are delegated to the director [of planning].

"There is a legal consultation period for most applications and the notification of neighbours. Following that, the officer will start to assess the proposal, noting all the responses received.

“The officer will not be in a position to consider a recommendation or whether a planning application should go to the committee until that period has ended.

"However, the call-in process exists to allow ward councillors to request councillors on the planning committee see the application at an early stage, where there is a planning reason and high public interest.”