PLANS to refurbish a village hall have been approved despite opposition from nearby residents.

Ribble Valley councillors gave the go-ahead for the revamp of Chatburn Village Hall, built in 1922, which will include a new kitchen and toilet extension and removal of an internal wall.

Councillors made the decision at a planning meeting despite receiving 36 letters of objection from nearby residents.

Concerns centred on a new flat roof being out of keeping with the surrounding area, a potentially damaging increase in the amount of traffic and the proposed kitchen extension being too close to a neighbouring property in Victoria Avenue.

Revised plans for the Downham Road site include a two-storey toilet extension with disabled access and a one-storey kitchen extension, both with flat roofs.

A spokesman for the hall, speaking at the planning meeting, said: "If we didn't refurbish it the building would deteriorate further. It's vital this goes ahead."

Permission was granted with several conditions including all materials used to be approved by the planning authority and glazed windows should be installed to ground and first floor toilets.