An application to build 106 new homes has been withdrawn after a petition was launched and more than 70 objections submitted to the council.

Gleeson Regeneration submitted plans to Pendle Borough Council in December last year, proposing to build 106 new homes on land south of the junction with Knotts Lane and Lenches Road in Colne.

A consultation period began at the end of April, with the council receiving more than 70 objections to the development.

A petition was also launched, and by the end of May, signatures had filled 18 pages of A4 paper.

Citing traffic, access to schools and services as some of the many areas of concern, one resident simply said: “Please go find somewhere else to build. We have already suffered more than our deserved allocation. Leave us be.”

Another resident said: “Building on this land would be a travesty.”

Other objections included more than 65 from residents in the area; Lancashire County Council’s Highways department; East Lancashire Hospitals Trust – who said they could only support the development if they were given around £200,000 in section 106 payments to help pay for healthcare for any additional residents; Lancashire County Council’s Schools Planning Team, who, like ELHT, said they were objecting unless contributions could be made to support an additional 10 secondary school places at a cost of £230,000; Colne Town Council; and the Coal Authority.

The plans, if approved, would have seen 15 different house types built in a cul-de-sac arrangement.

These would have been a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes comprising of semi-detached, detached and bungalows.

There would also have been space created for around 212 vehicles.

A statement from the Highways department at LCC said: “The Highway Authority cannot support this application and objects to the proposals submitted.

“The main reasons for objection are summarised below.

“The site is considered to be located remotely from facilities and services, on the edge of Colne, with poor connectivity which will result in a reliance on the private car which is contrary to the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework and Guidance.

“The development traffic cannot be accommodated safely on the highway network and will have a severe impact on highway safety for all users.

“The impact of the development traffic cannot be mitigated sufficiently due to the rural nature of the highway network and built environment, particularly the upper sections of Lenches Road and Knotts Lane and the Colne Waterside Bridge.”

Pendle Council announced the application had been withdrawn on July 27.