.A HORSE and carriage driving centre may still be set up in Burnley, even though controversy surrounds the plan.

The project on land at Woodplumpton Road, Habergham Eaves, failed to leave the starting gate five years ago when council planners first gave the go-ahead.

Time ran out earlier this year when work on the scheme had still not started by the deadline date.

Now the owners are seeking a time extension to allow the driving centre and stud farm plan to proceed and councillors are being urged to give approval. Two years' ago the council took out an enforcement notice for rubbish dumped on the site to be cleared and this was complied with.

The application for renewal of full planning permission goes to tomorrow meeting of the development control committee.

Councillors will hear objections from residents who say the centre will be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

Officers say there have been no significant changes to planning policy since the earlier permission and renewal would be appropriate.

But they acknowledge the site has been subject for complaints for years and this was likely to continue.

They recommend councillors to agree a two-year extension to completion of the scheme.

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