ALMOST 50 homes could be built on the outskirts of Rossendale in one of the Valley’s biggest housing developments in years.

Hurstwood Holdings has outlined proposals for 47 two to five-bedroom houses at farm land off Johnny Barn Close, Higher Cloughfold.

But one councillor said he opposed the plans as the land project posed a flood risk to neighbours.

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Cllr Patrick Marriott, who represents Labour in Rawtenstall’s Hareholme ward, said he would be talking to residents about the potential impact of the scheme.

He said: “Developers have tried before to get this land included in the urban boundary.

“It was part of the recent review but it was knocked back at the first stage because of the flood risk. I will be speaking to residents in the coming weeks but I don’t think this development is good for the area.”

But in a statement, Hurstwood, while admitting the homes were outside the urban boundary, said the scheme would ‘fully comply’ with all technical requirements, including flood risk assessments.

The firm said: “The sloping nature of the site has facilitated the design of an attractive element of central amenity open space. And the site has boundaries with open fields, and therefore the scheme has been designed with a ‘green buffer’ to these boundaries.”