PLANS for a major expansion of a taxi office in St Annes have hit a snag following an objection on environmental grounds.

Whiteside's Taxis, which employs a total of 120 people, has applied to Fylde Borough Council's Tourism and Leisure Committee for permission to purchase a strip of council-owned land which lies directly behind their premises, which they would then build on.

But Marian Coupe, chairman of Lytham St Annes Civic Society, said the scheme would destroy trees and harm the environment.

She told The Citizen: "We object to the sale of the land as we would to the loss of any open space in the town centre. With all the money being spent on St Annes Square people are forgetting the importance of mature trees which should not be removed."

Daniel Whiteside, manager of the taxi firm based in Station Yard, St Annes, said the business is based in a small wooden hut and a mobile unit in Station Yard and the expansion, which would cost around £200,000, is long overdue.

Mr Whiteside also stated that Whiteside Taxis would be happy to foot the bill for planting more trees in Station Yard and throughout the town centre to assist with its regeneration: "We see the cost of this as our vote of confidence in the regeneration of St Annes," he said. "And our intention is to turn something that many would consider an eyesore into an attractive area of the town."

Mrs Coupe added that if the plans got the go-ahead she would personally hold Mr Whiteside to his offer of replanting.

Paul Drinnan from Fylde Planning Authority said: "The Tourism and Leisure Committe will consider the proposal and all objections in a meeting on January 8.

"We have had a preliminary discussion about the benefits of the expansion and believe it could have regional benefits, but these will have to be weighed up against the loss of trees and land."

If the sale of the land did go ahead it is highly likely the proposed expansion will have to go to the full council.