A HOUSING development which has been delayed for nearly a year has been described as a 'fiasco'.

Angered Brierfield residents have been putting pressure on PEARL, a joint venture company between Pendle Council and developer Barnfield Construction, to complete a housing project off Clitheroe Road as quickly as possible.

The original project, which started in October 2016 and includes the creation of 35 new homes, has been set back by around 10 months with it originally scheduled for completion at the end of last year.

It has been alleged that at least three site managers have been sacked during this time and the structures of between eight and 10 houses have been taken down to its foundations when developers discovered they had forgotten to install the draining.

Residents of around 80 properties on the neighbouring Chatburn Park Drive and Chatburn Park Avenue have also faced difficulties driving and walking in and out of the estate since the development started because of blocked road access.

Speaking on behalf of Chatburn Park estate residents, Bill Harris, who has lived in the area for over 35 years, has described the delays as a ‘fiasco’.

The 70-year-old retired electrician said: "It has been a fiasco from start to end and a lot of people are feeling disgusted about it.

“Barnfield have sacked several site managers because the work hasn’t been good enough.

“For me the main reason the development is moving so slowly is because there are not enough men on the job.

“Not enough time and commitment is being put into the project which clearly shows it’s a low priority for the developers.

“It has been two years since the developers closed one of the access roads into the site and there are no signs of it being reopened anytime soon."

Council bosses have said they are working to finish the development, comprised of two to three bedroomed bungalows and three bedroom semi-detached homes, as soon as possible but have not revealed an end date.

Julie Whittaker, Pendle Council’s housing, health and economic development manager, said: “We understand the frustrations of residents following delays to the original programme.

“PEARL representatives have met with residents to keep them up to date with progress on the site and we’re working to complete the development as soon as possible.

“We’re still trying to get the utility connections in place to allow the road to be completed and opened fully.

“But whenever possible, one of the access footpaths into the housing estate is opened in the evening and at weekends.”

Barnfield Construction declined to comment on Mr Harris’ remarks.