A COMMUNITY church is to take forward its plan to set up a homeless unit in Clitheroe despite objections from residents.

Clitheroe Community Church, in Millthorn Avenue, hosted a second meeting aimed at establishing the unit in the town, along with affordable housing.

The meeting was attended by representatives of homeless charity Shelter, the police and Ribble Valley Council, although residents of the Primrose area failed to turn up.

They stormed a similar meeting two weeks ago in protest at the plan amid rumours it might also include a centre for asylum seekers at the site of the former Barker's Primrose Nursery.

Brian Clark, pastor of Clitheroe Community Church, told the meeting a church member had experienced a vision from God about homelessness in Clitheroe and the need for affordable housing.

He said: "What we need to establish is whether this is a purely Christian project, or a multi-agency project involving other community groups.

"If this project is going to get off the ground it will take time, effort and money, and I'm pleased we didn't have the opposition and disruption we had at the last meeting, which prevented us from moving on.

"We don't know which site we are looking at. We are considering several in addition to Primrose Nursery, as it's early days yet.

"But there is a problem in Clitheroe that is being denied and something needs to be done."

Mel Dyack, speaking on behalf of the Trinity Community Partnership, said there were more than 250 homeless people in Clitheroe.

He added: "This area is perceived as affluent, but there is a problem that needs to be acknowledged."

Members of Clitheroe Community Church are to hold several prayer meetings during the coming weeks to decide how to take the project forward.