POLICE plans to build houses next to their Accrington station look set to be arrested as the land is classified for another use.

Lancashire Police Authority has submitted an outline application to use land between Grange Lane and Wellington Street, Accrington, for a residential development.

The land, adjacent to the Christchurch conservation area, is used by the police for the garaging and servicing of police vehicles, a facility which is to be relocated to Blackburn, leaving the buildings empty.

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth has objected to the proposal saying there are already 2,000 empty houses in Hyndburn, and the development could cause on-street parking problems.

A report to be presented to planners on Wednesday says the application contravenes government guidelines on use of previously developed land.

It reads: "There is not currently a defined need for additional housing on unallocated sites.

"In addition this proposal would remove the possibility of an employment use of the site.

"There is also the potential for noise disturbance of any dwellings built on the site that may not be able to be adequately reduced by design"

The council's chief environmental services officer also expressed concern over potential noise disturbance from the police station and nearby industrial premises.

Members of the council's planning committee are recommended to refuse the application.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police Authority said: "The police are looking at the development potential and this application is for residential use only. We cannot comment further until the council has made its decision."