WORRIED residents affected by plans for the largest housing estate in Pendle in years will get twice as long as usual to have their say over the proposals.

Despite advice from planning officers, Labour and Conservative councillors put aside political differences and teamed up to agree a three-month public consultation over proposals by Fairclough Homes to build 167 houses on fields off Halifax Road, Nelson.

Planning experts warned the council could be taken to a planning inquiry by Fairclough if the firm decided to appeal against the authority for not determining its application within the statutory time eight-week time limit.

Normally, consultation over plans is limited to six weeks at most.

But Labour and Tory members of the council's policy committee agreed the 12-week consultation, despite concerns from the Liberal Democrats.

The decision will allow the hundreds of local people who would be affected by traffic from the estate, time to give their opinions.

Labour's Colin Waite told the policy meeting: "The traffic on the roads round there will be massive. We all want to know what's going on, it's not just the people facing that site who will have to be consulted.

"The effects of the traffic will be felt far and wide in the Nelson area."

Tory group leader Roy Clarkson added: "This is one of the largest planning applications for housing we've seen. It's vitally important we get this right."

He said the effects of traffic from the proposed estate would be felt in Nelson and Brierfield.

Displays showing details of the proposed scheme will be held in both towns and a meeting will be held to give residents the chance to question councillors and planning officers.

A date and time has yet to be set but it is likely to be held at Edge End High School, Nelson.

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