PLANS to transform a former social club into a nursery look set to be approved, despite concerns from neighbours.

The Clayton-le-Moors Sports and Social Club, Moor Street, closed last month after owners Bolton-based Fretlane Ltd said customer numbers were too low.

And plans to bulldoze the club to make way for housing were blocked by Hyndburn Borough Council twice last year.

Both planning applications were turned down as the council said the bowling green on the site was classed as a greenfield site and it would be against council planning policy to build on it.

The council also said there was sufficient housing in the borough and at the time of the second application had declared a freeze on new homes.

Now the company has submitted a new application for permission to turn the club, which has been put up for sale, into a daycare centre for children.

The proposals will be discussed by the planning committee on Wednesday.

Planning officers have recommended the plans be approved but four letters of objection have been sent by nearby residents and the owner of a pre-school in Rishton Road.

They were concerned over the increase in traffic a new nursery of the size proposed would bring and claim that problems parking for residents in Moor Street would be worsened.

In her objection, the pre-school boss also stated there was a surplus of childcare places in the area and that neither of the two nearby centres are at maximum capacity.

But the planning officer's report stated: "The site is of adequate size to provide the amount of parking required under the Lancashire County Council parking standards.

"In my opinion, the building and adjoining land are suitable suitable for use as a children's daycare centre."