PLANS to expand an Oswaldtwistle boarding and breeding kennels have been deferred by Hyndburn Council.

Work had already started on the new kennels, office, isolation units and exercise area at Folly Tails, Haslingden Old Road, with the plans submitted retrospectively after neighbours' complaints.

In a report to the council's planning committee, development control manager Brent Clarkson recommended the project be approved, despite objections from residents.

He said the design was acceptable and that existing temporary holding pens and an enclosed mesh play area would be removed.

Mr Clarkson also said a new fence would be built, which would improve the problems of noise and disturbance for neighbours.

But June Barry, who lives next door with her eight-year-old daughter, objected. At the committee meeting she said: "The proposed kennel block is being built using prefabricated metal, which is totally unacceptable and unsafe.

"Plans to put a fence up would be pointless, strong winds and flooding will demolish it in no time."

And councillors said they were also unhappy with the plans.

Coun Dave Parkins said: "This work has been started and it looks like it has been done wrong from the start. To pass it as it is we would be doing an injustice to the neighbour."

Members agreed to defer the application for further negotiation with the applicant.