MONEY obtained from the sale of the former Whiteacres home for elderly men would be earned from the blood and tears of old war veterans, Burnley councillors were told.

An application for outline planning permission for seven pairs of semi-detached houses to be built on the site in Lansdowne Road was recently deferred by Burnley's development control and highways sub-committee.

Coun Gordon Birtwistle told the full council: "I hope the committee finds a genuine planning reason for turning it down. It is county council blood money for turfing out old war veterans from their home.

"I hope the LCC get their comeuppance on this." He hoped Burnley Council could ensure that the property was sold individually and that the grounds were kept as they were though, sadly, no longer for the pleasure of the old men who were kicked out.

Coun Harry Brooks said money the county council would receive would be stained with the blood and tears of the old people who had lived there.

Since the home had closed it had been vandalised and the sooner planning matters were sorted out the better, said Coun Tony Lambert.

Committee chairman Stephen Large, said the application would be going back to committee and, until then, he was not prepared to comment on it.

Whiteacres was one of a number of homes for the elderly closed by the LCC despite a protest campaign. The occupants have been found alternative accommodation.

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