RESIDENTS causing a stink over chemical emissions from a business park -- which left them unable to open their windows because of the stench -- have persuaded Pendle Council to investigate.

But a visit to Excel, at unit 16 of the Barnfield Business Centre, Brunswick Street, Nelson, by borough planners and local councillors will only be to look into the size of the extraction flue emitting the fumes.

The firm had applied for planning permission to retain the metre-high flue ,but objections were raised by people living near the industrial site, who have been complaining about the smell for more than two years.

Neighbours wrote that the smell gets so bad they cannot open their windows and doors. They also believe the fumes are leading to health problems, such as shortness of breath and dermatitis.

Ray Britner, who lives in nearby Beresford Street, said: "It's a terrible smell and it is very worrying. Our house is right behind the site and we directly overlook it.

"During the summer we couldn't even open our windows because the smell was so strong. I would like to see it stopped, because chemicals can cause all sorts of health problems."

The planning application was discussed at a meeting of the council's Nelson committee this week and members were told that the fumes were in the lowest risk category of carcinogenic emissions.

Borough planners recommended that the proposals be approved by the committee, and a report from environmental health officers said the fumes were in the lowest risk category, although they suggested that members consider a condition requiring the firm to put in a filtration plant to reduce the risk of smells in the future.

However, following a presentation by local residents, the committee agreed to defer the application so that a meeting could be arranged between Excel, environmental health officers and councillors to discuss concerns about the emissions, with a view to increasing the height of the flue.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Britner said the residents presented enough information to get rid of the extraction flue.

He said: "We gave them enough to force them to find alternative means of extraction there and then. But the committee looked like it was going to let it go through despite that. However, one or two of them were not happy about it and they had to say that they would have a look at it."

Mr Britner said when the application comes up again the residents will be ready to make their feelings known again.

Melvyn Aston, from Classic Architecture Ltd, who have designed the flue for Excel, said: "The site vist relates to the planning issues about the flue. Environmental health have raised no objections in regards to the fumes."

No date for the meeting between environmental health officers and the firm has yet been set.