I AM writing with reference to the article “Care home plan is thrown out”.

As a resident of the Livesey district of Blackburn I feel something should be done immediately to stem the growing derelict sites along Livesey Branch Road. The presbytery site is looking and becoming an unacceptable eyesore.

The old St Andrew’s school, down the road towards Ewood, has become vandalised and derelict. In the opposite direction towards Feniscowles is the now-vacated Beechwood public house, which again is looking desolated and derelict.

Do we really need three such sites in a residential district?

I feel there is a need for a purpose-built nursing home in Livesey. Local old people and their families would certainly benefit.

Orchard Care Homes is a national firm with five homes already in Lancashire, one each in Fleetwood, Chorley and Haslingden, and two in Preston.

It takes a pride in the landscaping of its gardens and has won awards for this.

On the presbytery site there are over 20 mature trees. Acceptance of these plans would mean the loss of one of these trees, however, each case should be judged on its merits. We don’t have the luxury of protecting every tree.

With building firms all over the country stopping work on projects (look at Blackburn town centre) and Accrington Brick closing down, Orchard Care Homes may be the only chance of respectability this site can hope for in the foreseeable future.

The loss of one tree must be measured against all the advantages mentioned above.

I feel some councillors should remember that people vote them into office, not trees!

ROLAND DUCKWORTH, Livesey.