HYNDBURN Council has blocked plans to extend an Accrington care home.

Proposals from MMR Care Ltd, which owns Moorhead Care Home, in Whalley Road, would have seen a three-storey extension added to the existing building to accommodate up to nine more residents.

But the council's planning committee voted to refuse the plans over concerns raised by residents about traffic and parking problems.

Members also felt the extension would overlook neighbouring properties, invading the privacy of the people living there.

Speaking at the meeting, Steven Holden, of Cleveleys Road, said: "There would be parking problems caused by increased visitors. Then you have to add the increase in traffic during the football season.

"We are quickly becoming a commercial, rather than a residential area. We have now got two residential homes and a bed and breakfast."

Ward councillor Malcolm Pritchard also urged the committee to refuse the extension.

He said: "Increasing the number of people in the home will increase the traffic tremendously. We have problems with football traffic and don't want to increase it anymore."

Committee member Coun Janet Storey said: "I don't have any problems with the extension, there is a need for residential homes. But parking and traffic is horrendous."