Burnley new homes plan referred to full council for decision

The houses would be built on land off Rossendale Road in Burnley

Plans for 111 new homes off a main road are to be considered by a full council meeting after an initial setback.

The proposed scheme is for land off Rossendale Road in Burnley, Lancashire, by Seddon Homes Ltd.

It was debated and rejected by Burnley Council's development control committee last month.

The decision was taken despite officers' advice it was beyond the committee's powers and "substantially contrary" to the borough's Local Plan.

The vote was nine councillors in favour of rejection, four for approval and two abstentions.

The reasoning for the refusal included concerns about the provision of school places and health services might be unable to cater for the proposed development.

Following the committee decision, Catherine Waudby, the authority's head of legal and democratic services, referred it to a full council meeting on 17 April for a final decision.

The councillors had been warned that if the decision was successfully appealed against by Seddon Homes the council could be landed with the costs of the hearing.

Habergham Parish Council, Burnley Civic Trust and more than 20 nearby residents objected to the scheme on grounds including loss of attractive countryside, effect on dog walkers and ramblers, safety on Rossendale Road, impact on wildlife, local schools and health services, and insufficient protection for the local Buttercross monument.

A report to the meeting said the "high quality" scheme included provision for 11 affordable homes.