PLANS to put up five homes on green land have been approved four times in the last 14 years but still haven't been built.

Burnley Council's development control committee again approved a proposal to build five houses on land located at the back of Southern Avenue, Ightenhill earlier this month.

The site, which is approximately 0.2 hectares in size, is undeveloped land surrounded by existing residential properties, with access via Southern Court, off Ightenhill Park Lane.

Council bosses have previously said the development should begin no later than two years from the date of approval.

However the applicants - Barry and Lorraine Wilson, of Southern Avenue - have chosen not to build on the field and instead reapplied for planning permission on three separate occasions, which has been granted by Burnley Council each time.

Concerns have now been raised by councillors and residents over the proposal because of the 'dramatic' increase in the number of houses, cars and people in the area since the application was first submitted in 2004.

Several objections have been made over the safety risk for drivers and pedestrians travelling in and out of the narrow access point as well as the potential increase in traffic congestion.

To mitigate traffic concerns, the applicant has agreed to make improvements to the junction of Southern Court with Ightenhill Park Lane and resurface Southern Court due to the potential increase in traffic.

Cllr Tony Mitchell, chairman of the Ightenhill Parish Council, said: "We are worried about the access to the site, which is difficult from Ightenhill Park Lane.

"The plan is very sketchy as far as what will happen about the traffic. We see the site as a traffic hazard altogether.

"We are not concerned with actual building of the houses because they not in the parish. Our concern is the planned restriction of the road in Ightenhill Park Lane."

County Cllr Tony Martin, who represents Burnley West, said: "My concern is the same as the parish council.

"They heave reapplied four times and as time has gone on the cars have got bigger and bigger and there is more traffic on the road.

"The building of five houses could mean there are 10 extra cars on the road. It will create more congestion on the street.

"The junction is getting busier and busier. My sympathies are with the parish council."

One Southern Avenue resident, who objected to the proposal, said: "The plot is a small one and from experience I know that the area appears to amplify sound.

"The noise from a property already overlooking this area can be excessive and the same level of noise from another five houses would be intolerable.

"The sightline from the exit is extremely poor and dangerous and I fail to see how the proposed highway changes would render it sufficiently safe.”

The applicant Mr Wilson has been contacted for comment.