A COUNCIL which blocked plans for a controversial mosque has revealed it now wants to use part of the site for a home for mentally and physically disabled adults.

In November last year Ribble Valley councillors threw out plans for a mosque on the former council depot site at Kirkmoor Road, Clitheroe.

After hearing from nearby residents who opposed the scheme, they voted to earmark the site for elderly people's sheltered accommodation.

Now council plans for the site reveal it wants to build a four-bedroom bungalow for severely physically and disabled adults, leaving the remainder for sheltered housing.

Plans for a mosque by the Clitheroe-based Medina Islamic Centre were rejected by councillors after residents complained it would drive down house prices and create traffic chaos. A council report later rubbished the house price claim.

A leading councillor, Lib Dem leader Frank Dyson - whose St Mary's ward includes the site - today welcomed the development.

He said: "We have already established a number of places like this where people can be looked after."

Referring to the residents' fury that surrounded the mosque application, he added: "I cannot speak for everyone in my ward, but I can only hope that they would be tolerant of people less fortunate than themselves."

A report by council chief executive David Morris, to be submitted to Thursday's housing committee meeting, stated the council would work with Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care trust to provide the bungalow.

The rest of the site, which was recently valued at £420,000, will be used for sheltered housing and three registered social landlords have already been approached for their proposals.

The decision to use the site for housing came after a housing needs survey revealed the council currently has a waiting list for elderly persons' bungalows of more than 400.