A controversial proposal to create a hostel for homeless people in Darwen is set to be approved.

The £2.2million 30-bed apartment development would replace the "outdated" Police Street hostel in the town.

Housing company Twin Valley Homes has asked Blackburn with Darwen Council for permission to build the hostel on an unused triangle of land between James Street and Bury Street.

And planning officers have recommended that the application be given the thumbs-up by the authority's planning and highways committee which is due to consider it tonight. But today, objectors, said they hope the committee throws out the plans.

Protesters say the building will be too modern, create parking problems and not fit into its surroundings.

They include Liz McKeown, 36, of Sunnymere Drive who said: "We are still hoping it will be thrown out but it doesn't look likely if it's been recommended for approval."

Liz, who owns Tagg Wallcoverings, Wood Street, added: "We don't like the structure, the way it looks and we don't know who will end up living in it. "

The planned hostel will consist of two accommodation blocks with ground-floor communal facilities and residential units aimed at providing short-stay accommodation.

Twin Valley Homes currently runs the Police Street hostel, made up of a unit for single people and a families project.

But it was decided to close the singles accommodation and replace it with the new hostel after the council received £2.3million of government funding through the Hostels Capital Improvement Programme.

The modern design features mainly glass walls to create an open feel. But many people still believe the hostel should not be sited in James Street.

Martin Oldfield, owner of adjacent James Gibsons Ltd, has also written to the council to voice his disapproval stating: "It appears no consideration has been given to any building lines, local building materials, the public living and working in Darwen town centre or the long-term effect of such a project."

But recommending approval, a report of the council's regeneration department states: "The design and appearance of the proposed development are of sufficient quality to merit the granting of planning consent and that the proposed development is acceptable in land use terms."

The council has pledged to take objections into account.