A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to build 18 new homes on the edge of an East Lancashire village is back before councillors.

The scheme for the houses on two acres of greenfield land north of Brownside Road, Worsthorne, was originally approved in June 2018 despite strong local objections

The plan includes a mix of 11 detached houses, two pairs of semi-detached houses and a row of three terraced houses are proposed, providing a total of 10 three-bedroomed houses and eight four-bedroomed houses.They are two-storey using traditional stone.

At the time of the original approval Cliviger with Worsthorne councillor Andrew Newhouse described the decision to approve the plans as 'crazy' adding: “It’s a disgraceful decision. The village is full to the brim."

Now, after the development was taken over by Rossendale building B and E Boys a revised application has been submitted which goes before Burnley Council's Development Control Committee on Thursday.

A planning officers' report says: "The current application differs from the outline consent by the inclusion of an additional strip of frontage land to its western side to improve sight lines, by providing a new set of planning obligations and by the omission of a pedestrian/cycle link from within the site onto Lennox Street."

Four letters of objection have been received from nearby residents.

They express concern about a Black Poplar tree on the corner of the site; are worried about overlooking, noise and loss of privacy; and object to the use of Lennox Street to access the site by large vehicles.

The report to councillors says: "The proposal seeks to develop a site that is allocated for housing purposes.

"A suitable scheme has come forward.

"The scheme has been sensitively designed with good attention to quality materials, design and landscaping in order to create an appropriate new edge to the village and to respect the setting of Worsthorne Conservation Area.

" Clear benefits would arise from the delivery of new housing."

The officers' recommend the application is approved with conditions including a financial contribution from the developer towards recreational open space and provision for off-site affordable housing.

Cliviger with Worsthorne ward Conservative Cllr Cosima Towneley said: "I am concerned at the amount of recent building in the village but this site has been an eyesore for many years and will remain so unless something is done. I am concerned at the dropping of the pedestrian and cycle link."