AFTER a long battle to prevent homes being built on land off Knotts Lane in Colne, campaigners finally heard Pendle councillors utter the words they had been hoping for this week.

A two-hour debate about the amended application by Persimmon Homes to build 198 houses on the site led members of the development control committee to refuse the plans, despite the possibility of the company appealing against the decision.

The application was refused by the Colne and District Committee on the grounds it would adversely affect wildlife interests on the railway sidings part of the site but was referred to development control because of the possible costs of a public inquiry on appeal.

Members eventually refused the proposal on the grounds of the possible adverse ecological affect on the area and adjoining fields.

Resident Andrea Hartley, who spoke on behalf of the Get Knotted campaign group, pleaded with members to turn down the development.

She said: "We already have 400 new houses in this area plus existing terraced houses without this development being approved. A survey conducted by Lancashire Wildlife Trust stated this land qualified to be a Biological Heritage Site. Until this status is given this land is in jeopardy whether builders go on it or not. If you approve this application the wildlife will be lost."

After the decision she said: "I'm ecstatic and all the other residents are really pleased too. I think it will go to appeal but I think we stand a good chance because the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has got all the relevant ecological information. A lot of hard work has gone in to this over the last two years.

"They could have been built by now if we hadn't stood up against them."

Councillors Azhar Ali and Ann Doult also spoke as members of the public arguing the case to refuse permission on wildlife issues.

Francis Hesketh, an ecologist appointed by the applicant, pointed out that various heath land and marsh land areas on the site would be protected, as well as there being an area which could be managed as a nature reserve but members of the committee showed their opposition to the plans.

Coun David Whalley said: "There are 34 main objections to this development and to be honest I can fully agree with every one of them."

He said there were quite a number of empty houses within a short distance of the proposed development and significant wildlife in close proximity to the site which would be lost.

He added that the council should not be stopped from deciding on what it believes in because of the possible costs.

Other members raised the issue of the single access road not being appropriate for such a huge development but planning manager, Andy Wiggett, advised that traffic grounds would not form a reasonable case because the county council's highways department had not objected to it.

Coun Alan Vickerman said: "To move a protected area will not work. It will take years for the natural habitat to form again and we will struggle to get the wildlife back. There will be no greenery left."

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes Lancashire said: "We were obviously disappointed at the outcome 15and we will be reviewing the position in due course."