WORRIED residents opposed to a plan to build on a town’s ‘beauty spot’ have formed an action group to fight the scheme for 200 new homes.

The Further Clough Head Action Group has vowed to challenge Pendle Council over the housing scheme on green fields between Barkerhouse Road and Southfield Street in Nelson.

The project by Together Housing and PEARL would see 200 two, three and four bedroomed properties and has been awarded a £1.15million grant from Homes England to develop the site.

Residents’ spokeswoman Robbi Atilgan said: “The Further Clough Head Action Group has been set up to challenge Pendle Council’s intentions to build on a local Nelson beauty spot.

“In Nov 2017 outline planning permission was granted to build up to 200 homes in a greenfield area bordered by Barkerhouse Road and Southfield Street. This despite the council receiving more than 200 objections from the public.

“We will continue to fight this proposal on the grounds of pedestrian safety on an already busy road, the lack of school places, the difficulty new residents will have in obtaining a place with a GP and the damage it will do to the trees, the wildlife and people’s general enjoyment of a very green and pleasant corner of Nelson.”

A full planning application for the project is expected to be submitted by PEARL, a partnership between Pendle Borough and Barnfield Construction later this year.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, the leader of Pendle Council, said: “This site already has planning permission for housing development.

“Councils across the country like Pendle have to meet Government targets to provide new homes to meet a growing housing demand.

“We are faced with difficult decisions and we appreciate that local people have strong views about this.

“A partnership between PEARL Together and Liberata Architects has been granted planning permission for up to 200 houses on the Further Clough Head site with large, green landscaped areas. The development will have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties.

“At least 20 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing helping to address challenges for local people who might not otherwise be able to afford housing.”