The selfish aspirations of some councillors never cease to amaze me particularly when in opposition to council policy, they approve planning applications which clearly are detrimental to the amenity of the community generally.

I refer to the decision to allow a change of use to the former Beech Tree Inn on Whalley Old Road to become a mosque against the professional officers recommendation to refuse.

This is a disgraceful decision and these myopic councillors must be held responsible for the potential road safety hazards that will surely ensue.

The existing next door mosque will now more than double in size, a used car lot has taken over the small car park opposite, an industrial building which has just been refurbished is offered for rent and is immediately next door and all three existing premises generate traffic and nuisance to many of the neighbouring residents.

Whalley Old Road is a main thoroughfare into the town and such a use, which historically it is recognised generates considerable pedestrian and motorised traffic, was quite rightly recommended for refusal but councillors referred the matter to the Planning Committee.

Now that this die has been cast it is essential that the powers that be enforce the parking restrictions that are already widely abused in this area.

Mike Madigan, via email.