A INTERNAL probe has been launched into controversial plans for a £500,000 community centre.

The Brierfield People's Centre was created using public money at 50 Colne Road in a building that had been derelict for 25 years.

But it closed after just two weeks and now there are plans to replace it with a venue for social functions for up to 200 people.

But councillors have demanded to know if the public funds, which came from Pendle Partnership, will be put to public use.

They fear the centre originally planned for community use where people would be trained to get back into work and health advice could be given could instead just be used for staging social events.

And they have called for a probe into claims that town hall officials had been put under pressure when writing reports about the centre.

Today Coun Tonia Barton, chairman of Pendle Council's Brierfield and Reedley Committee, said councillors had ordered the investigation because they still did not know if the centre, which was built with public money, would now become a commercial venture or lose its intended educational purpose.

The Pendle Pakistani Welfare Association, which is behind the centre, submitted the new planning application to Pendle Council asking that it be allowed to use the venue for social functions for up to 200 people something which could have a severe impact on town centre parking in Brierfield centre.

The plan prompted anger and controversy from the public and councillors at a meeting of the Brierfield and Reedley Committee.

Coun Frank Clifford said: "I think it is time to look closely at this. We don't want to turn it down but there has to be time for quiet reflection."

He added: "Pressure has allegedly been put on in the town hall on officials as well and that is why we have such a thin report."

Coun Pauline McCormick said: "I want to know what the money was meant to be used for. I want to know that public money is going to be put to the right use."

During the meeting it emerged that documents recording the original planning consent did not put a limit on the number of visitors.

But councillors who gave the approval at the time insisted they had stipulated no more than 35 people.

Coun Barton said: "I want to know why 35 people is not recorded on the planning decision. I was chair at the time and I remember it clearly."

A motion to defer the application was then passed. The motion stated that an inquiry be launched in Pendle planning department to see why the 35 limit was omitted and what the public money was to be used for.

It also ordered that a traffic survey be carried out and a risk assessment of how many people should be allowed in the building.

Coun Nawaz Ahmed, who did not vote for the deferment, said: "The reason I support this is because it is for the people of Brierfield."

Dr Ikram Malik, chairman of the Pendle and Pakistani Welfare Association, told the meeting: "Brierfield People's Centre will be for the people of Brierfield. This will be for all the community."