LOVECLOUGH residents have voiced their opposition to two proposed new housing developments off Burnley Road.

Limey Valley Residents’ Association (LVRA) polled 281 villagers over the plans for 40 homes to be built near the football pitch opposite the Badgercote estate - and found just three to be in favour.

The group met with representatives of a private developer interested in the land earlier this week to outline their concerns.

They quizzed Graeme Luxton and architect Jim Eccles, who delivered a presentation on the project at Loveclough Social Club, in Commercial Street.

The plans, which have not yet been formally submitted to council bosses, involve building 15 four-bedroomed eco-homes alongside 25 mixed units, alongside a new access road from Burnley Road.

LVRA chairman Derrick Bartlett-Smith said his group’s opposition was focused and that it had suggested alternative sites where housing would be appropriate.

He said: “The site opposite Badgercote is outside the parameters of what is acceptable.

“It is undeveloped, greenbelt land. We don’t want to come across as ‘NIMBYs’ and that’s why we have worked hard with Rossendale Council.

“We have identified several other locations within Limey Valley for up to 160 houses that would be acceptable if developed in clusters of say two or six.”

Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes told the meeting that the council did not support the development.

Among the concerns raised were the unsuitability of the land, traffic problems emanating from the proposed new road, a lack of amenities to deal with an influx of 100 new residents, and the marketability of the homes, given the poor uptake of units at recently-developed Loveclough Mews nearby.

Mr Luxton said that submission of a planning application was imminent, and that, if successful, the homes could be ready within 18-24 months.