COLNE'S new children's centre and dental surgery has been sent back to the drawing board.

Residents, traders and members of St Bartholomew's Church objected to the loss of Walton Street car park where the complex will be built and last night handed Pendle Council's Colne and District Committee a petition with 491 signatures.

But councillors were less worried about the loss of car parking spaces and more concerned with the design of the new building, which will provide community dental care and a Sure Start project to help families with children under four.

Speaking against the proposal, St Bartholomew's vicar the Rev Tony Rindl said: "I have a horrible vision of a hearse unable to park outside the church.

"I speak for a number of retailers and other residents who use the town centre. We very much support the work of Sure Start and would like to see a building in the town centre but there is a major issue about parking in the town."

Resident David Hawthorne warned the building could become 'a white elephant' in 20 years time - but councillors said that was not their concern.

Coun Tony Greaves dismissed fears that loss of car parking would mean fewer shoppers and said the new service would bring mothers with young children in to Colne.

He said: "Sure Start say there will be perhaps 1,000 visitors a week.

"This is something people and traders in Colne should welcome.

"I think the plans should be passed but I'm not impressed with the design we've got.

"The internal design with the courtyard and play area is brilliant but the outside appearance as it faces on to Church Street and Walton Street - the best I can say is it's dull."

Councillors voted the plans through on condition access to the site and the building's design were looked at again by planners.

The council's highways, engineering and design manager Peter Atkinson was also asked to look at car parking in the town.