A HOUSING development proposed for the former Walter Smith Ltd site in Blacko could be given the thumbs-up by councillors tonight (Thursday) after concerns from residents and the parish council led to an amended scheme being submitted.

Permission was granted in April 2000 for ten detached dwellings and eight off-street parking spaces at the Springfield Mill.

The new, amended, application is for 11 detached houses, four pairs of semi-detached houses, a barn conversion and 14 off-street parking spaces.

Members of the Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee deferred a decision on the proposals in February at the request of the agent for Dalesmoor Homes to enable them to put forward an amended scheme.

The original was for the same number of detached houses but with eight three-storey houses in two blocks.

But residents and parish councillors were concerned that the three-storey properties would be out of keeping and inappropriate, creating too high a density, and that there would not be enough car parking space for residents if restrictions were made to existing parking areas.

A recent statement from the applicants relating to the amended scheme said: "The replacement of the three-storey blocks with semi-detached houses and the car park redesign to provide increased parking followed from the meeting of the developer with the parish council. The control of the car park on completion of the development will have to be considered by residents of the Gisburn Road properties."

Planning officers have recommended that the amended plans should be approved subject to a list of 21 conditions, which include a proposed Traffic Regulation Order being in place before the houses are occupied, more off-street parking being created, a bat survey being carried out, a landscaping scheme being put in place and access roads being constructed to county council specification.

Dalesmoor Homes has also offered to make a contribution towards the installation of improved highways signage.