PLANS for a controversial housing development in Earby have been submitted to Pendle Council.

Developers McDermott Developments Limited handed over £30,000 towards the town's CCTV scheme yesterday and has submitted a plan for 56 houses on land at Bawhead Road.

Campaigners lost their fight to stop the land being sold for development by Pendle Council last month and councillors asked the developers for the CCTV cash 'up front' to make up for delays caused by the protesters.

Today, Coun David Whipp welcomed progress on the scheme but said the planning application would have to be judged on its merits.

He said: "Work is already under way on the CCTV scheme. This has been funded by Pendle Council and West Craven Together. To complete the work, cash is needed from various private developers. This payment has been held up by procedural wrangles from opposition councillors.

"As well as the CCTV scheme, the land sale will fund, or help fund, lots of exciting things in Earby including £80,000 for a new junior soccer pitch, £30,000 towards flood alleviation in Earby, £60,000 for a multi-use games area and £30,000 for a 20mph zone in the Wentcliffe Drive area.

"Also, Liberal Democrats have pledged to fund the provision of new changing rooms for the recreation ground from the council's Capital Programme. The receipt from the sale of land in Earby increases the amount raised from land and property sales in the Borough to over £9million in the last five years. This money is used to invest in new facilities."

McDermott proposes a mix of housing with 15 four-bedroom detached houses, 22 three-bedroom detached houses, 16 three-bedroom semi-detached houses and a group of three semi-detached houses. All the properties would be two storey.

The plans are expected to be decided by West Craven Committee when it meets on January 31.