MORE than 100 residents have signed a petition objecting to plans to turn two houses in an Accrington street into care homes for children.

Hyndburn Council has been asked to grant permission for two neighbouring mid-terrace properties in Princess Street to be changed for a residential use into accommodation for four children, aged 11 to 16, with educational and learning difficulties.

But residents claim the area is not suitable for such children.

In a report to the council's planning committee one residents states that a terrace house, without a garden and with families living either side would not be suitable for a care home of this kind.

The residents also claim that if the planning application was granted it would mean an increase in traffic and parking problems .

In the report it states that there would be four members of staff on duty at all times and that the children would always be accompanied by a member of staff outside the home.

The applicant, Francesca Windsor, said the objective was to work with the children in an environment as close to a normal residential home as possible.

Borough planning officers have supported that view. The report states: "The properties are located in an area which is entirely residential in character, and consequently we consider the area of Princess Street to be a suitable location."

No objections were raised by the head of engineering services to support residents' concerns about parking in the street.

However, because the properties are next to William Blythe chemical works the Health and Safety Executive has objected to the application on safety grounds and planning officers have recommended that the planning committee, which meets tomorrow, refuses the application.