PARTS of Earby look set to become a conservation area -- but the plans are threatening to divide the village.

At a meeting of Pendle Council executive committee, Earby ward councillor Morris Horsfield urged members to support the proposals.

But when the issue went before the West Craven Committee in April, strong views both in favour of, and against, the proposals were raised by members of the community.

The proposals were recommended for approval by the committee because of the ward councillors' support for them.

However, executive committee members said they were concerned about the size of the area to be included in the protected zone, and the strength of feeling against the plans from some members of the community.

The proposed area covers three essential parts that run into one another -- the 19th Century town lying between the railway and Warrington Street, Aspen Lane and Green End Road; the old village east of this as far as the Red Lion pub; and the Mill Bridge area of countryside following the line of Mill Brown Road and Birch Hall Lane.

It would preserve and enhance areas of special historical and architectural interest in Earby.

Coun David Whipp said: "At the West Craven Committee we took the view that if the ward councillors felt it was right then we wouldn't oppose it. It was carried in the committee by the ward councillors voting in favour and the rest of us abstaining.

"I am convinced that certain parts of Earby will benefit from this and the decision to go ahead with some of the area is very worthwhile. But I am very hesitant to push this through when a significant body of opinion is against it."

He added: "I would like to defer this and invite the ward councillors to present us with a reasoned case for supporting the conservation area boundary as it has been put forward and what should be included, so that we can take a reasoned decision on this."

This was supported by Coun John David. He said: "There is a substantial objection to this. It looks to me a divisive issue.

"This is an issue where we should be guided by Earby itself, but Earby itself is not giving us a very positive light at the moment."

Coun Horsfield urged the council to back the proposals.

He said: "This is just going on and on. We want to get on with this. I know some people have played up about this, but conservation can only be a good thing for Earby."

But members supported Coun Whipp's recommendation to defer the decision.