DEVELOPERS who plan to build more than 300 homes just yards from the controversial Calderstones site, today issued a vote of confidence in trust bosses and said: "We look forward to opening our sales centre very soon."

Managing director of Alfred McAlpine Homes North West Ltd John Cosgrave said their plans for the manor house grounds style development in Whalley will continue despite revelations that people who have committed manslaughter, arson, child sex offences, kidnap and rape were housed in the medium secure unit 30 yards from part of the site.

Mr Cosgrave said the company had "every confidence" in the bosses of Calderstones NHS Trust to manage the facility.

He went on: "It is their responsibility to consider all aspects of the management of its facility and we have every confidence in their ability to do that.

"The unit is a hospital not a prison and as a housebuilder we are not qualified to comment on the mental or physical health of patients within the unit. Indeed it would be wrong of us to do so."

The plans, passed by Ribble Valley Council, include 318 homes as well as outline planning permission for a primary school.

The site, within the former hospital grounds, is being cleared ready for development. Mr Cosgrave went on: "Our plans to develop over 300 residential units continue and we look forward to opening our new sales centre soon. Whalley is a highly desirable location which continues to be illustrated by the high number of customer enquiries we've already had since our plans to develop the site were announced."