COUNCILLORS have given unanimous backing to a project to build 15 homes and an office on the site of a former slipper works in Rawtenstall.

B and E Boys will develop the Higher Mill site, off Millgate, after the council's development control committee gave the project the green light after plans were amended.

The initial application for 17 homes on the site which has remained derelict since a fire in 1999, received complaints from residents on traffic issues, the impact on surrounding buildings and car parking spaces.

This was altered to reduce the homes to 15 and increase the number of office and car parking spaces to 75.