A COUNCIL leader has described the final version of a borough's local plan as 'robust' despite objections raised by rival councillor.

A majority of elected members at Burnley Council voted in favour of adopting the final modified version of Burnley's local plan at full council on Tuesday.

The final version, which sets out policies to guide the amount, location and quality of housing development, has been accepted following a 'rigorous' examination by an independent planning inspector appointed by a senior Government minister.

The main modifications made by the inspector include reducing the amount of employment land required, including Shuttleworth Mead South and Burnley Bridge extension, increasing the availability of land for housing and removing the gypsy and traveller site at Oswald Street.

Following the meeting Burnley Council leader Mark Townsend said he was 'pleased' with the outcome and described the local plan will provide certainty of what will be developed in the borough over the next 15 years.

He said: "I'm pleased that a long process has come to an end. It's good news for Burnley."

However other councillors have criticised the process which has led to the final version of the plan as well as concerns over developing sites on Greenfield land.

Former Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle, leader of Burnley Liberal Democrats, said: "I, along with hundreds of residents in my ward, are disappointed with the final version of the plan.

"The process has been going for eight years and cost £2million which in itself is a waste of tax payers money. We believe we have been sold down the river and they have been treated with contempt."

Cllr Andrew Fewings, of the Green Party, said: "I am thoroughly disappointed that Labour didn't see sense to look after the poor and vulnerable in Burnley and reject the plan.

"I will also be holding Labour to account in their assertion that Brownfield land will all be used for housing first."

UKIP councillor Alan Hosker, who voted against the final version presented to full council, said "I'm not happy with the building sites. The council should be using more brownfield than greenfield. That's the thing that's most frustrating."

In response to the criticism, Cllr Townsend said: "The opposition parties have had four years to put forward alternatives. Not one alternative has come forward in that time. No plan would mean local people losing control of planning decisions to faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall. That would be a disaster for residents and our growing reputation as a place to invest.

"It’s a balanced plan for a new forward looking Burnley with new homes and new job opportunities for greater prosperity whilst maintaining 80 per cent of our borough as green and rural. "