COUNCILLORS in Burnley expressed concern that they were issuing a blank cheque by granting planning permission for a factory without knowing what kind of industry would be involved.

Members of the development control committee approved an application to erect a new industrial building on the site of an old factory in Healey Row.

They were told the site was already scheduled for general industrial use and that the factory was being built on a speculative basis.

It was not known what type of industry would use it.

Coun Beryl Barnes commented: "Surely one of the things we should be looking at is whether it will cause a problem."

Head of planning Sue Graham said: "We would have been concerned had it been nearer to the houses."

The nearest houses are on the other side of Spring Hill Road and given that there was an existing industrial building on the site it was felt there would be no substantial increase in noise and disturbance to residents.

Coun John Cavanagh said: "I am still concerned about giving a blank cheque."

The committee agreed to give officers delegated powers to approve the application, subject to conditions including insulation of outside walls.