COUNCIL chiefs in Rossendale are set to ignore objections and grant permission for a disabled parking bay in a congested residential street.

Plans to introduce the designated parking bay in Holt Street, Waterfoot, close to the junction with Booth Street, are to be discussed at tonight's Lancashire Local meeting.

Residents in Holt Street have sent in letters of objection claiming the nature of the applicant's disability is not serious enough to justify a disabled parking bay.

They also say residents park mainly on the east side of the road and the location of the bay could affect parking outside their homes.

Locals suggested moving the bay nearer to Booth Street or locating it at the north end of Holt Street where there is a council building for elderly residents as parking in Holt Street is at a premium.

But in a report to the committee, Judith Wilson, Lancashire County Council's environment director, recommended approving the proposals.

She said the applicant was a disabled driver and a Blue Badge Holder and met the criteria to quality for a parking bay.

She said: "Residents do not have a formal right to park outside their own property. However, there remains enough length of carriageway to accommodate one vehicle per property.

"In order to encourage kerbside parking and leave the maximum possible carriageway width for passing vehicles, it is proposed to use the minimum 1.8 metres recommended width for a disabled parking bay.

"The parking difficulties in Holt Street are the reason for the application for a disabled parking bay being submitted.

"This facility would have the benefit of allowing a disabled person to park close to home.

"If the disabled parking bay were to be sited as suggested, nearer to Booth Street, it would be within 10 metres of the junction and therefore in contravention of Highway Code recommendations.

The alternative suggested location, in a parking area at the north end of Holt Street, is not adopted highway and therefore Lancashire County Council would have no authority to approve this proposal."

She said there had been no objections from Lancashire police or other emergency services to the parking bay proposal.