PLANS to house the Stacksteads village surgery on the former ambulance station site in Commercial Street will go back before planning chiefs next week, but look likely to be refused.

A similar proposal to move the centre from Farholme Lane to the new site was refused last month by the council after residents complained about the impact of increased traffic.

Members of the development control committee will meet on Wednesday to consider the outline proposals, which involve demolishing the current disused ambulance station.

The new application indicates that the building would be situated at the rear of the site, with parking space for 27 cars. Access for cars would be via Commercial Street.

Eleven letters of objection have been submitted to the council in relation to the substandard and unsafe access junction with Newchurch Road near to the zebra crossing, additional traffic causing congestion in Commercial Street and the loss of residents on-street parking, the danger from traffic to children, the loss of residential amenity and privacy caused by the increased number of pedestrians to the surgery and the fact that there were alternative sites which were not given enough consideration.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council's highways department said: "The proposal has the potential to generate a significant level of traffic to and from the premises via a substandard access on to a classified road, which has poor sight lines and is located close to a zebra crossing and mini roundabout.

"Consequently there are road safety concerns at this location.

"On the basis of these concerns I would have to recommend that the location for a development such as this is unsuitable and planning should therefore be refused."

If the proposal is refused, it could lead to the surgery having to be merged into the new health centre in Rochdale Road, Bacup, which would cause further problems for people without transport.

The fight to use the Commercial Street site will also now go to appeal in a bid to get the plans passed and keep the surgery in the village.

Stacksteads councillor Michael McShea, who is considering sending evidence to the appeal, said: "The council's position is quite clear as they have recommended refusal, but having said that, the appeal has gone in in relation to the original application.

"I am assuming it this one will be refused, but you never can say. I agree with the county council with regards to the road safety concerns and I don't think it is in anyone's interest for it to go ahead, either on road safety grounds or from a parking point of view. I hope they will now consider alternative sites and keep the health facility in Stacksteads, which is paramount."