A 60-bedroom care home for the elderly could finally be built on the site of a former reservoir in Nelson.

Outline planning permission for the large two-storey building on land off Lowthwaite Drive, in the Cloverhill area, was approved by the Planning Inspectorate in August 2007 despite being previously refused by councillors on Pendle Council’s Nelson Committee.

Two-and-a-half years ago more than 250 residents signed a petition against the plans, saying the building was too big, out of character with the area, would lead to an unprecedented increase in traffic and destroy the habitat of wildlife.

Householders are now gearing up to protest again when the plans are discussed by the committee again on Monday.

Essex-based Holmes Care Ltd is seeking permission to build the care home on the open space between Lowthwaite Drive, Uldale Close, Broadness Drive and Halifax Road. It will provide en-suite bedroom accommodation for 60 elderly residents.

Lancashire County Council, Pendle Council, United Utilities are backing the plans, providing minor conditions are met.

But Bridget Hilliard, of Lowthwaite Drive, said more than 100 residents had signed a petition against the plans.

The 84 year-old is expecting a number of them to protest at the committee meeting next week.

She said: “It’s a piece of land opposite my house where the old small reservoir was. It’s a little oasis in the middle of housing.

“There is a problem with access and it will put more pressure on the roads with heavy vehicles coming along.

“There’s wildlife on the open space and children play there as well.”

Cloverhill Coun Eileen Ansar said she had made residents aware of the plans and was aware of their concerns.

No one from Holmes Care Ltd was available for comment.