A BRIERFIELD councillor has slammed Pendle Council's decision to approve plans to build 27 new homes on the site of a 19th-century mill.

The proposals were initially blocked by members of the Brierfield and Reedley Committee, who felt Lob Lane Mill in Clitheroe Road, Brierfield, fell into an area earmarked for regeneration in the Elevate Housing Market Renewal programme.

Members were also wanted to protect the canalside mill buildings, which were due to be demolished under the developer's plans.

Planning officers had recommended refusal and because the council could face costs if it went to an appeal the application had to be referred to the development control committee.

However, revised plans, which retained the canalside buildings for conversion into flats, have now been approved by councillors.

Coun Frank Clifford said he is "incensed" because the Brierfield and Reedley Committee should have been given the chance to discuss the amended plans first before any decision was made,

He said: "We said that it was premature ahead of the public consultation currently going on about the regeneration and redevelopment of the canal corridor in Brierfield.

"We wanted to see a more detailed application that took care of retaining the mill frontage to hopefully enrich and retain our heritage.

"When it went before development control it was a different application and because of that it should have come back to the Brierfield and Reedley Committee first. But instead it was nodded through without us being given the opportunity to consider the amended proposals.

"They have wilfully disregarded reasonable arguments and have allowed this to progress against the wishes of the people of Brierfield."

Coun Clifford said he would be raising the issue with the borough solicitor.

A council planning officer said: "If there is a substantial change in the plans it would normally go back to the area committee.

"But in this case the changes made by the developer addressed the concerns raised by the area committee."