RESIDENTS in the west of Accrington claim the use of a terrace house as a drop-in centre for Asian women is causing traffic problems in their street.

Last month the Aawaz Women's Voluntary Group won planning permission from Hyndburn Council to turn a property in Empress Street into an office to provide information and advice for women.

Councillors on the planning committee were concerned about having an office in a residential street, so permission was granted for 12 months, so that the facility could then be reviewed.

But at a meeting of the West Accrington Residents' Association, one resident of Empress Street said he had no idea about the planning application and that cars coming and going from the office were causing traffic problems in the street.

He said: "I want to know why no one has been asked about it and why it has just gone ahead."

Brendan Lyons, head of planning at the council, said: "As a general rule we don't think mid-terrace houses are the best places to put this kind of use.

"But a few years ago the council turned down two similar applications and the decisions were overturned by a planning inspector on appeal.

"Questions were asked of the group before permission was granted about the impact it would have and they said it would be low usage.

"The answers they gave us reassured us of that."

Speaking after the meeting he added: "Letters were sent to the houses closest to the site on both sides and opposite the building and we only had objections from two addresses.

"Planning permission was granted initially for a 12 month period precisely to investigate any such problems the residents now describe.

" We would ask residents to get in touch with the planning department to let us know about these kinds of issues."