ELEVEN hazardous substances will no longer be used at a controversial chemical plant as part of a change in production by its new owners.

But Clariant UK, formerly Nipa Laboratories, has applied to store Nipacide BIT, a chemical preservative used in paints to stop the growth of fungus, at its Nook Lane site in Oswaldtwistle.

The application also includes the storage of up to 50 tonnes of waste produced while using Nipacide BIT. But the 11 other hazardous substances, including chlorine, sulphur doixide and sodium nitrate, previously used at the site are no longer used in production and have been removed.

A report to members of the council's development services committee, who will consider the application today revealed that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) considered the risks to the surrounding population arising from the operation was so small there were no significant reasons to refuse permission. The HSE also recommended the reduction of their consultation zone around the site to 250 metres following the removal of various chemicals from the site.

The site has been in operation as a chemical company since before the Second World War, but Clariant only took over in July of this year. Previous owners Nipa, were fined £20,000 four years ago after a major chemical leak which sent a cloud of acidic gases above the plant and forced 2,000 people indoors.

That incident was one of two leaks at the plant in 1998 -- a smaller leak earlier that year led to a £10,000 fine for Nipa.

Council officers have recommended the application be approved. Head of planning services Brendan Lyons, said: "The HSE have reduced their consultation zone so there must be a massive increase in the safety of storage of chemicals there."

Councillor Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Conservative Party, said he was concerned the consultation zone had been decreased without residents' knowledge and questions should be asked before permission was granted.

"While Clariant have worked very closely with Oswaldtwistle people over the years it's vital that people have assurances they there isn't any increase in threat towards us," he said.

"There has to be further clarification of this at the development services meeting. I do hope councillors question this extremely carefully before giving any approval. I think it's one we have got to watch very carefully."

A spokesman for the HSE said the substances were raw materials being used in production.

"The HSE have experts who look at situations like this and carry out risk assessment and determine how chemicals are going to be stored, the location and manner of storage and whether it's safe to have them on site.

"Consultation zones are reviewed from time to time and the regulations have changed recently regarding consent and the criteria for when areas fall within the zone. This new zone indicates a lesser risk. The HSE needs to be assured that things are being held in a safe environment."

A Clariant spokesman said: "We have very strict consents from United Utilities and the Environment Agency and, depending on the effluent we produce, we have a choice of what we do and we choose to take it offsite to an appropriate licenced waste plant. There shouldn't be any great amounts stored on site."