A ROW over emissions from a factory in Colne could be a step closer to being resolved.

Residents around the Colne Anodising factory, in Garden Street, Waterside, have complained about the emissions, saying they hang in the air, vary in colour and obscure buildings.

But according to a report to this month's meeting of the Colne and District Committee, the company has agreed that: "In the interests of good relations with local residents, they would be willing to enter into dialogue."

A public meeting was held last month to discuss the residents' concerns, which were raised with councillors by ward representative Ian Robinson.

Coun Robinson said: "The plume coming from the factory changes colour and is very dense. It can hang in the air and doesn't seem to fade in the way you would expect.

"Residents feel the chimney stack should be made much higher than it is to solve the problems. It's in a residential area and there should be consideration for that. The local pub, the Lord Rodney, is often hidden from view and it has a visual impact on the whole area. It simply doesn't look good to people coming here."

The campaigners have been backed by local Friends of the Earth campaigner, Brian Jackson, who said the valley is "noted for its difficult microclimate, which exacerbates any pollution by trapping it".

The council resolved to enter negotiations with the company about an increase to the height of their chimney and, according to the report, the company is now prepared to discuss the possibility of changing the height.

The report says the stack, at 4.3m, is already higher than the 3m required by law but that the company has responded positively to approaches about the residents complaints.

It states that the plume from the chimney is very visible because of a wet scrubber system controlling emissions of oxides of nitrogen.