MORE than 500 objections have been lodged against plans to build a small housing development in Loveclough.

Plans for 15 houses and a community allotment, on land off Burnley Road, have been submitted by Mr K Howieson.

But 523 people have sent letters and emails to Rossendale Council.

They raised concerns over extra traffic, school provision and impact on the sewage system.

The plans are for four bedroom and two-storey houses being built of stone and slate, to be built on a new cul-de-sac to be constructed.

But, Rossendale Council officers have recommended the proposals for refusal at next week’s meeting of the developmlent control committee on the grounds it would be a major development in the countryside.

Objectors have petitioned the council to refuse permission to developers on the grounds that the houses are ‘out of character with the surroundings and do not enhance the area’.

A report said: “The A682 is a very busy main road and the additional traffic will have both environmental and safety implications.

“And the local primary school is full and the sewage system is already under pressure.”

The Loveclough Valley Allotment Association objected to the plans on account of having already been in active negotiation with the council to lease part of the land tabled for the development.

In the council report, the planning officer’s statement said: “The applicant has not advanced the case to outweigh the harms arising from the proposal in terms of inappropriate development within the countryside, the lack of affordable housing and detriment to the essentially open and rural character of the area.”

The proposals will be decided at Bacup Futures Park on Wednesday, October 9.