Plans for eight three-storey homes to be built on derelict land between Grove Lane and High Street have been submitted to Burnley Council.

However, Mr and Mrs David and Eveline Clarke, of Grove Lane, feel the new houses will encroach on their property with the couple set to lose their garden and have a fence erected within a metre of their patio door.

Mr Clarke, who has lived in the house with his wife for 18 years, said: "I have no problem with them sorting the land out or indeed the building of the houses. It will be good for the area. I just want them to take into account the impact it will have on our house.

"If they go ahead with the plans we will lose our garden and a fence will be built right up against our patio door which leads into our living room.

"We've worked really hard maintaining the garden and I don't think it's fair we could end up with these houses right next to us. Having looked at the plans we feel the houses are being squeezed up to our end and could be moved the other way."

The land, branded an eyesore by many in the past, is owned by Huntroyd Estate.

Their plight was brought up at a meeting of Padiham Town Council where councillors supported a call from Mr and Mrs Clarke for developers to look again at the plans.

Coun. Bob Clark said: "I don't think they are being unreasonable in asking for what they are asking for. I think we should strongly object."

Coun. John Harbour said: "For years this council has called for something to be done to this land. I think we should support the scheme but all we are asking for is a little bit of compromise. There is nothing unreasonable about asking them to move the fence some distance back."

"It's good that we have got the support of councillors from Padiham," added Mr Clarke. "I have written a letter of objection to Burnley Council and now we will just have to wait and see."