'NIGHTMARE' plans for homes on vacant grassland have been slammed by nearby residents.

Altham-based McDermott Homes wants to build 71 three and four-bedroom houses on land off Fieldfare Way, Bacup, with car parking included in the plan.

But more than a dozen objections have been lodged by residents concerned about the impact the proposals will have on traffic.

One resident, Kim Farrer, said: "New housing will be a nightmare. It's already busy now and the congestion in and out will be horrendous."

But in its transport statement prepared on behalf of McDermott, Development Transport Planning Consultancy (DTPC) said the proposals would have little or no discernible impact on roads.

They added: "The site is sustainable, there are no local safety issues that would impact on a scheme coming forward, traffic flows are low."

McDermott said in its design and access statement that the development proposes access to the site from Fieldfare Way, which connects to Douglas Road, to Pennine Road and then to the A671 Rochdale Road.