A FATHER has found himself at the centre of a planning row after deciding to convert a garage into accommodation for his disabled son.

John Hughes sought permission for stone to be temporarily stored at Highbrake Cottage, off Marshall Avenue, Huncoat, so he can carry out the work.

But residents are so fed up with wagons coming down the narrow street to the cottage they raised a 25-name petition objecting to it.

They were concerned about noise, dust and workers from the site parking on their property.

Ward councillor Dave Parkins asked Hyndburn Council's planning committee to impose an enforcement order on Mr Hughes to prevent the wagons disturbing residents, but the committee have instead given him six months' grace.

Committee chairman Coun Janet Storey said: "It's temporary. It's for six months and it won't go on for a day over six months. There are conditions on this approval which if broken will automatically have to be enforced."

Coun Parkins said: "I have had numerous calls over the past two years about this property and its use.

"I have been on Station Road and Marshall Avenue and there are articulated wagons being loaded at 10 and 11 o'clock at night. I've seen them myself. I'm going to request we serve and enforcement notice on this application. It's been going on for two years and the people of Huncoat have been through hell."

The site was only cleaned up when there was going to be a site visit by councillors and officers, he said.

Planning officer Brent Clarkson said there had been complaints about deliveries.

But approval was granted for six months on condition that the site was only used for storage of materials for the building work, and work on the site was restricted to the hours of 8am to 6pm weekdays, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday. No work is to be undertaken on Sundays.

Anthony Riley, 52, of Marshall Avenue, said: "The wagons are coming up and down at the back. It's like a quagmire, the roads are slippy and the dirt gets on your carpets and in the house. That road is a public footpath and I have been walking my dogs when wagons have nearly hit me because it's a blind spot."

Neighbour Deborah Fox, 45, said: "It's a menace, especially when children are playing. Some wagons come round the corner with such speed. They are coming up and down all day long."

Mr Hughes was unavailable to comment.