A COUNCILLOR has claimed refusing plans for 104 homes on an empty industrial site - and passing proposals to develop greenfield land - is contradictory.

Cllr Caroline Snowden made the statement after proposals to redevelop land Carrs Industrial Estate in Haslingden were rejected by Rossendale planners.

She contrasted this ruling with the approval of homes off Holcombe Road, Haslingden, last year.

Chorley-based applicant Blackmores D Ltd wanted permission to build the homes.

But Rossendale planning officers said the land is officially earmarked for employment.

Officials also insisted 104 homes was too much for the land and highlighted car parking and design issues as well as a lack of information on flooding, drainage and potential contamination.

The plans would have seen existing buildings demolished and new homes built on both sides of Swinnel Brook.

Donna Barber, for the applicant, said: “Only two pieces of correspondence have been received about this plan but no objections.

“This is unprecedented for ideas of this scale. We accept changes are needed and would urge deferral, not refusal, so we can work with Rossendale Council.”

Ms Barber said the site was marketed by a specialist estate agent in 2020 but there had been no offers.

Labour’s Cllr Liz McInnes questioned why the option of a mixed use site, featuring business and residential properties, had not been taken up.

Ms Barber said: “The applicant still thinks this is inappropriate for employment land.”

In a statement, Cllr Snowden said if the site was developed, residents would overwhelmingly prefer housing.

And she claimed residents were ‘astonished’ flood risks and sustainable development were being used now to justify refusing this bid - but they were dismissed when Taylor Wimpey was given permission to develop land at Holcombe Road for housing.

Cllr Snowden said the mill plans were ‘flawed in parts’ but that was overshadowed by the planning report, which was ‘so inconsistent’ with the past plans.

Mike Atherton, the borough’s planning head, said: “I think considerable weight must be placed on protecting employment land.

“We have more than enough land to meet a five-year housing supply, which has been independently verified.

“The council’s Local Plan was thorough and experts suggest this site would be suitable for employment, and that would be acknowledged by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Comments could have been submitted on this and tested. But the applicant declined that opportunity.”

Councillors voted to refuse the Blackmore plans although two abstained.