HOMES in Rishton could soon be protected under a new flood relief scheme.

United Utilities are planning to build waterworks under the area, big enough to contain an extra 3,000 bathtubsful of sewage and rainwater, to help the network cope in an emergency.

The scheme, set to cost more than half a million pounds, could put an end to the problems that have seen homes and businesses under water in previous floods, and 17 houses are set to be taken off the 'flood risk' register.

So far, 12 objections have been received from residents. But if the plans are given the green light. United Utilities hope the engineering work could begin in August and finish in about three-and-a-half months.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We would hope that when the plans are reviewed, the planners will understand that this is a major improvement scheme to tackle the awful problem of sewers flooding into homes.

"It will be landscaped, so any impact on that area will kept to a minimum. We hope people will see it's worth it for the benefits."

The scheme will see a small 'kiosk' and a six-metre high ventilation pipe, built on a patch of open space off Cliff Street, which would control an underground network of waterworks, capable of holding the extra waste. The firm say that in a storm the system would take some of the pressure of the sewerage network, and control flooding. But residents have objected as the area of grassland would be built on.

Hyndburn Council's chief planning and transportation officer echoes the fears in a report due to be presented to the council's planning committee next week.

The report says: "While minor in scale, the proposed development would, in my view, result in some reduction in the value of the land as a play and amenity space.

"However, the benefits to the residents whose properties are blighted by flood risk must also be taken into account."

Plans for the control kiosk have been lodged with the county council, who will make the final decision.