A CONTROVERSIAL application to build 17 new homes on land close to a busy junction has been rejected.

Councillors from Pendle Borough Council voted against the new homes near Barnoldswick over highway safety fears, loss of trees, and design of properties not being in keeping with the character of the area.

The application was referred to the policy and resources committee after the West Craven Committee refused the application for the same reasons.

Applicant John Wharton, originally submitted a plan to build 20 homes on greenfield land off Greenberfield Lane, in Barnoldswick in 2017.

Pendle Council’s development management committee voted against the proposals. However, outline planning permission was granted on the site at appeal.

After the meeting last week though, Cllr David Whipp said he thought the new developers, MJF Pension Trust Ltd, would appeal the decision: “It’s inevitable that the applicants will take this to appeal and then we’ll have to see what happens, but there’s very strong grounds for refusal.”