PLANS for 69 new homes near an Oswaldtwistle primary school have been approved, along with a six-figure cash injection for green spaces.

Hyndburn Council's planning committee approved proposals lodged by Persimmon Homes to build the development on land off Thwaites Road near to White Ash Primary School.

As part of the conditions allowing the development to go ahead, Persimmon must stump up £116,583 towards off site open space contributions.

The cash is to be spent on open space in Knuzden or on the Rhyddings project, where work is currently underway within Rhyddings Park to restore the coach house building and create a kitchen garden within the area around the coach house which has been derelict for many years, as requested by the council’s parks department.

The plans included provision for 28 three-bed homes and 27 four-bed properties.

There will also be three two-bed properties and 11 three-bed homes available under social renting housing.

Fourteen letters of objection were raised against the development citing environmental impact, parking and traffic fears.

Borough principal planning officer Liz Thornber said in order to try and mitigate parking concerns, discussions were held with the school and a plan was suggested to Lancashire County Council to build a new staff car park for between 45 and 80 spaces on the school site.

But the county council failed to respond to the suggestion so configuration of the estate was changed to limit the impact on Thwaites Road by moving car parking for some properties to a rear courtyard area.

Kevin Farrington of Persimmon Homes said: "We have worked very hard to try and come up with a scheme for this site that works for everyone concerned.

"We feel the delivery of this scheme will add to the area. It develops a site available for use and offers affordable homes in the area."

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents the area, said: "I think this development is just what Oswaldtwistle needs."

The land is currently a greenfield site and is used for grazing location for ponies in the area.

The site is adjacent to the White Ash Brook Greenway public footpath which has been incorporated into proposals.

A new ‘safer’ footpath for walkers and cyclists using it will also be added, which will be open into the woodland.

A statement by Persimmon said: "The site at Thwaites Road is in an ideal location to help Hyndburn Borough Council to meet its annual housing targets.

"The site lacks physical constraints which prevent development from being delivered and is easily accessible.

"The site is a long standing housing allocation, and this proposal will allow the delivery of housing to be realised in a timely manner.

"The application proposal provides a mix of housing to meet the requirements of the community, offering choice and variety, while still complementing the surrounding land uses and house styles.

"The site is located in a sustainable location, with good public transport links.

"The impact of the development will be negligible on the surrounding highways network and all linkages into the site will be maintained and incorporated into the development."