A CONTROVERSIAL bus depot, which council planning chiefs admit is out of place on a terraced estate, is set to remain in place for at least 18 months.

Residents alerted town hall officials after Bubble Travel set up a mini-bus garage in Astley House, Albert Street, Burnley, without planning permission.

The travel firm applied to Burnley council to continue operating from the former mill, at least until alternative premises can be found.

And after hearing that enforcement action against the depot would probably prove ineffectual, councillors have agred to allow the company to remain there until March 2010.

Counc planning chief Sue Graham admitted that the depot was “not appropriate for a close-knit residential area.”

But if the firm was given notice to quit, and decided to appeal, it may still take many months to force Bubble Travel to leave, councillors heard.

The firm is in talks with the council’s property services department over relocating to the Heasandford industrial estate A Bank Hall residents spokesman said: “We don’t believe that operating 20 coaches, including 49-seaters from 6.30am to 8.30pm, is in any way reasonable.

“In fact it’s an unbelievable recommendation for approval at the junction of two narrow terraced residential streets.

“Vehicles reverse, literally with inches to spare, between a shop entrance and a large family home with a wheel-chair using resident.”

Coun Jonathon Gilbert added: “I have visions of this going through and a banksman shouting ‘this way, that way’ at 6.30am. If that was outside my window then I would be quite upset.”

Coun John Jones asked whether the firm could be asked to leave by July 2009 but planning officials felt this could be considered ‘unreasonable’.

Lancashire County Council highways department expressed concerns regarding the manouevring of mini-buses along terraced streets but the firm has promised to introduce banksmen to help vehicles negotiate tight bends.

Coun Frank Cant said he was “horrified” at what the residents had had to contend with but the planning permission would enable the authority to police the operation more closely in future.