RESIDENTS in Healey Wood, Burnley, who have sent more than 250 letters of objection to a planning application are expected to turn up in force at a council meeting tomorrow.

They are opposing plans for a business unit at the rear of Springfield Road.

An application by RS Plating for an electro plating plant on the site was amended to business use after the council received 138 letters of objection and a petition signed by 317 residents.

They say they are disappointed that the council's 'Public Right to Speak' policy will restrict them to ten minutes talking time.

Local resident Ruth Stinchon said: "Each application is allowed a maximum of 10 minutes for the residents and the developer to make representations.

"If there are five people wishing to speak they are allowed only two minutes each. Residents from Berry Street, Springhill Road, and Clevelands Road all have different points to make and we have two professionals attending on our behalf. But we understand that the rules have been made to be fair to everyone."

They were also angry that the report incorrectly reports the number of letters of objection.

"Around 183 letters of objection were received by the planning department almost immediately and a further 70 over the last few weeks. This makes a total of around 253 letters, not the 130 reported."

Coun Carole Galbraith commented: "This application to erect a two-storey industrial unit in a quiet residential area, and originally sought to change the use to general industry has struck fear into the heart of this small community.

"They have lost faith in the council's planning officers to help protect their quality of life. Some of them have paid for the professional services of a planning consultant whom they wish to speak on their behalf ".

The report says 138 letters of objection were received for the original application and 59 to the business use.

Residents have expressed concerns on traffic dangers, water, fumes and noise pollution, fears that hazardous materials could be stored on the premises, and that an industrial building would harm the character of the surrounding open space.

Planning officers say the site is at a lower level then surrounding residential properties and at the rear of a single-storey industrial building occupied by a number of different businesses.

They say the proposed business use was acceptable in a residential area and that there are no planning reasons to resist the application.

They recommend approval.

Mrs Stinchon has asked objectors to be at the Town Hall at least ten minutes before the committee is due to start at 6.30pm.