HOUSE prices near to the M65 Services development in Darwen have been driven down, it was revealed today.

Neighbouring streets are no longer an attractive place to live, claim leading estate agents and residents. Developer Margrams admitted there were disadvantages from the new services but said they had to be weighed against the advantages, including new jobs.

A valuer from a leading Darwen estate agent said: "It does hold advantages for people who work in Manchester or people who work from home but the majority of people don't want to live near a motorway."

Another estate agent said: "There's more noise and more traffic, depending on how far the house is from the site it could be a 10 per cent decrease."

Kevin Eames, 45, lives with his wife and two children on Hector Road. He said their lives had changed for the worse since the M65 Services opened and he had been complaining to Margrams since August. He said: "We used to have a lovely view with cows wandering up to the back garden gate but now it's absolutely terrible.

"It feels like it was built right next door to us and we weren't even properly consulted. Kids come down here and stand on our gate to get over the fence to the services and we've had all sorts of problems. We had an extension on the house to look out over the fields and now we don't use that room any more because now there's nothing to see. We rarely use the garden any more so it feels like we have been restricted in our own home." Residents on Redvers Road have faced problems with children walking to the services.

Terry Rose, 63, of Redvers Road, said: "It's made the road a terrible place to live because there's litter everywhere and it's so much louder."

Councillor Eileen Entwistle, Sudell ward, said: "Streets have gone from being quiet to thoroughfares for the services. There was never supposed to be access through Hector and Redvers Road."

Councillor Frank Connor, chairman of the planning and highways committee, said: "We have consulted with residents thoroughly at outline and full planning application stages. Landscaping work is ongoing and we will continue to work with residents to try and address concerns."

David Davis, chairman of Milton Keynes based Margrams plc, said: "It is unfortunate but you have to weigh the disadvantages with the advantages. House prices may be slightly affected but at the same time, the services are a massive development for Darwen. More than 150 local people are employed at the site and it brings tourists and lots of trade to the town. There are major advantages to the development."