TOWN councillors are at loggerheads with their borough council counterparts over plans to build 24 new homes in Clitheroe.

The two and three-storey houses on the site of the old bus depot are set to be backed by Ribble Valley borough councillors.

Members of Clitheroe's planning and highways committee are being urged to approve the project, but to delegate powers to planning officers so discussions over certain conditions can begin with the developers.

But Clitheroe Town Council are calling for the plan to be rejected on the grounds that local infrastructure, including schools, social services and health facilities, would not be able to cope with an influx of new residents.

And neighbours of the site, in Pimlico Road, say parking will become a nightmare if the houses are built.

The site was used, until earlier this year, by Lancashire United, which is owned by Blazefield Holdings and made up of Stagecoach Lancashire's old bus fleet. They merged their Blackburn and Clitheroe depots earlier this year.

The development is being proposed by Merewood Homes of The Printworks, Ribble Valley Enterprise Park, Barrow.

Director Ian Joyce said the proposed development would complement the Pimlico Road residential area, where the depot is sited.

The bus depot closed at the end of February when travel firm Lancashire United relocated to Blackburn from March 31. Mr Joyce said: "The depot is currently not in use and we have acquired the site in the hope that it will receive residential planning consent.

"The proposed development will include houses and apartments in a mixed price scheme that will complement the Pimlico Road area.

"If the planning application is approved, we would hope to start building in the late summer, with completion of the development next spring."

Ward councillor Howel Jones, who represents the Lib Dems, said the removal of the bus station would be "very welcome."

He said: "It is right in the middle of a residential area and has been a cause of irritation for many residents for a long time."