RESIDENTS have lost their battle to stop new shops being built at Briercliffe Shopping Centre.

They say the four new shops will have a severe impact on their quality of life because they are right on their doorstep.

And they are furious new shops are being built while others at the centre and nearby are empty.

But councillors approved the plans at a Burnley planning meeting.

Two petitions objecting, one containing 412 signatures, had been handed to councillors.

Fraser Lane resident Ray Foster, speaking on behalf his street, told the meeting: "I don't know one resident who would be happy if this was approved."

The development would cause litter, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, disturbance from burglar alarms and would deprive residents of light, he said.

The back of the shops and their litter bins would face residents' front doors, he added, overshadowing their homes.

But while planning officer Paul Skinner admitted the scale of the new shops would affect the residents, he argued it would not cause harm and they were not strong enough reasons to refuse.

People caused litter, anti-social behaviour and burglar alarms to go off, not new developments, he added, and opening and delivery hours would be limited to protect residents.

The shops will be built next to Kwik Save and in artificial stone with a flat, grey roof and of a similar design to nearby shops.