EAST Lancashire's first motorway service station is set to be approved -- despite objections from residents living close to the M65.

Councillors have been recommended to back plans for the service station on land next to junction four in Darwen.

But nearby neighbours claim the development could devalue their homes by up to 12 per cent.

Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning and highways committee will meet tonight to discuss the plans, with a report to the committee recommending it be approved.

A part single-storey and part three-storey building will be built on the land, housing restaurants, shops and a hotel. Little Chef and McDonald's have both been confirmed for the site, with the latter saying it will be its first motorway outlet in the North West.

The report says outline planning approval was given in 2000.

However, residents living nearby have voiced concerns and asked for the scheme to be scrapped.

Complaints have come from people living in Anchor Avenue and Hector Road, both Darwen.

One letter from a resident in Anchor Avenue said: "We are a retired couple living in very close proximity to the proposed development. We are not looking forward to the loss of privacy or the extra noise, fume and dust which will come fromt he site.

"Our first reaction was to move away but an estate agent has said the market value for our home would drop eight to 12 per cent once permission for the scheme was given." A resident in Hector Road said: "We have lived at this address for 10 years and have always appreciated pleasent views.

"We have spent a considerable amount of money extending our property and, in doing so, have just had a large window placed to the side of our house, overlooking the field where development is being planned.

"Not only will we have the noise, the litter and the smell, we will lose all of our privacy.

"Since the plan was announced, the value of our property has dropped. We feel we have been robbed."

Councillors sitting on the committee cannot comment before the meeting.