HISTORIC houses in Rawtenstall, which Rossendale Civic Trust was hoping to preserve, look doomed.

A plan before Wednesday's development control committee is recommending Cherry Tree House and 3 and 5 Dam Top, off Fallbarn Road be demolished. Three detached houses are proposed in their place.

The plan had been deferred from a previous meeting to allow internal inspection of the premises and the number of houses has been reduced.

Five letters of objection have been received, voicing concerns about access, parking, the loss of achitecturally and historically-valued properties and other matters.

Two other letters make observations about the plans, including concern about the narrow access, disruption to a nearby livery business during construction and the treatment of a party wall, exposed once the Dam Top buildings are demolished.

The internal inspection found that the buildings had multiple structural defects caused by inadequate long-term maintenance by previous owners.

An application to list the properties made by the Civic Trust was unsuccessful and officers are recommending the application be approved, though it is accepted the loss of Cherry Tree House is "unfortunate".