PEOPLE power helped persuade councillors to turn down a scheme for a new housing estate at Brierfield.

Around 70 residents from the Edge End Avenue area crowded into Brierfield Town Hall last night to press their case against plans by developer Wilcon Homes to build 31 houses in a field off their road.

Protesters heard former Pendle Council town clerk Colin Simmonds, whose house would be just yards from the proposed entrance to the new estate, tell the council's Brierfield and Reedley area committee: "The majority of the residents are totally opposed to this development."

There were cheers and clapping as councillors voted 4-0 to refuse the planning application.

Chairman Coun Allan Buck, abstained on the grounds that he would have to give evidence at any future planning appeal.

Campaigners drew up a massive list of 72 arguments against the scheme as part of a 16-page council report.

Residents also handed in a 179-name petition against the plan. Their main concerns were problems of access to the site, which would mean the demolition of stables and outbuildings at Clay Farm, and the piecemeal approach to developing part of a larger site between Edge End Avenue and Halifax Road, Nelson, which has been earmarked for houses and a new school.

There were also worries about the amount of extra traffic that would be created.

Coun Pauline McCormick said: "It's meant to be a whole development and not as it's being done here."

Coun Roy Clarkson added: "The residents' quality of life, if this application goes through, will be severely diminished.

"Once the door is open to this development it will open the floodgates."

Planning officers had to agree to revised plans but the committee ignored their advice.

Council planning manager Andrew Wiggett said: "We consider the amended plan is substantially different and an improvement on the original."

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