THE former Brook Shed in Earby is set to lose its original red brick chimney as part of a new housing development.

West Craven councillors also suggested the original engine house of the semi-derelict factory in New Road could also go, if it meant the possibility of a financial contribution to off-site highways improvements, such as a roundabout at a difficult near-by junction.

A final decision on the proposed 47 new homes at the site was deferred to the next meeting in a month's time of the West Craven Committee of Pendle Council for talks with the applicant and to resolve outstanding issues to do with other highways works.

Last night's (Tuesday) meeting at The Rainhall Centre in Barnoldswick heard that cost of keeping the chimney would make the development unviable. On balance, the loss of the heritage asset was outweighed by the benefit to the community, including the tidying up of the site, the meeting was told by planning manager, Neil Watson.

The former engine house was however to be kept as a 'community facility' although there were no funds forthcoming from the developers, Gleeson, and out of the reach of Earby Town Council.

Mr Watson said the initial proposal had been to reduce the chimney in height but he understood it was not achievable in terms of how the development stacked up financially. He estimated redevelopment of the engine house would be about £500,000.

The redevelopment of the site was welcome after several years in the planning, he added.

In a report to the committee, Mr Watson stated that the site was suitable for housing, in walking distance of facilities and public transport.

"The site is located within the Earby Conservation Area and although the vacant nature of the overall site is of some detriment to the character and appearance of the conservation area, the engine house, chimney and remaining walls do contribute to its significance.

"The loss of the chimney and remaining walls would cause harm to the significance of the conservation area and result in the loss of a non-designated heritage asset. The harm would be less than substantial and therefore must be weighed against the public benefits of the development."

Committee chair Cllr David Whipp said he had campaigned for the site to be tidied up as long as 15 years ago and warned his colleagues against asking too much of the developers in case they went to appeal which could mean the council getting nothing at all. Former chair Cllr Rosemary Carroll said the engine house could also go, described the site as an eyesore, and said what was really needed was a roundabout at the bottom of the road - where New Road meets Victoria Road and the A56, while others said it was a potential safety risk leaving the building empty.

Cllr Whipp added he had been inside the building: "It is a lovely space; in terms of conservation and heritage, it would be wonderful to keep it, but if there is not a practical proposal, we will have to accept the inevitable."