COUNCILLOR claims brownfield sites have blighted a borough for more than a decade.

The Pendle councillor's claims were made following the submission of a planning application to Pendle Council to build 12 homes in a residential area on land to the west of White Leys Close, Earby.

The scheme would consist of six semi-detached two storey dwellings in three blocks and six detached two storey dwellings.

Each would have their own on plot driveways and parking and access to the site would be directly off Earby Road.

Cllr Mike Goulthorp, who represents the area, said: “Building houses on greenfield sites - undeveloped land - is a problem in Pendle and particularly in West Craven.

“We have a lot of brownfield sites -sites that have been built on before - that have been left derelict for 10 to 15 years blighting the area.

“The reason people build on greenfield sites it because they are cheaper to build on rather than on brownfield.”

Neighbours have also sent five letters of objection because of concerns that the additional houses would put pressure on local services, including school and GP surgeries.

The application will be discussed at West Craven’s committee meeting on December 5.