RESIDENTS who feared their homes would be at risk of subsidence if a new housing estate was built have won their battle.

Officers at Rossendale Council had recommended plans for the seven detached houses in Dearden Clough, Edenfield, to be approved.

But councillors backed residents, who had submitted 84 objections, and turned down the application by P Casey Developers.

Residents said a house in the neighbouring estate at Dearden Fold, had to be pulled down because it was too expensive to repair due to land slippage. Neil Birtles, a planning officer at Rossendale Council, said the authority would have set conditions for the developers to comply with if the application had been passed.

Michael Flatley, a resident who objected to the build, said: “We are ordinary people and we do not deserve the stress and anguish that will be caused by this development.

“We don’t want to live in fear of possible damage to our homes that may be caused.

“Our fears will not go away even when the new houses are built and people are occupying them.

“We will wonder if damage will occur next week, or next year.”

Resident Susan Open-shaw said: “I am here representing the vast majority of people in Dearden Fold and Bond Street.

“Building these houses will create a very real threat of land movement, which we already suffer.”

Studies by the ecology department at the county council identified two further issues with the plans concerning protected wildlife.

They included the destruction of habitat of Daubenton’s bats, which breed and roost in the area, and a badger sett.

Councillors Darryl Smith and Anne Cheetham also made representations to the planning committee.

Coun Smith said: “I’m not opposed to development around Edenfield, but this one is unsuitable.”