Confusion and anger over plan for 120 houses in village

A residents' group in Worsthorne, set up to monitor the proposed building of new houses in the village, say a proposed plan to build 120 new homes will cause chaos.

The Worsthorne Residents Group (Housing Action) was set up last year in the wake of the publication of the Burnley Local Plan, which sets out proposals to build thousands of new homes across the borough.

A large list, whittled down to shortlisted “preferred options” earlier this month, has now gone out for consultation.

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However, Worsthorne villagers were shocked when they received an invitation from Manchester company Indigo Planning to a consultation event which included plans to build 120 new homes on land at Butcher’s Farm and Brownside Road, which were not included in the latest Local Plan.

A spokesman for the residents’ group said: “The timing of this news from Indigo Planning was interesting, even brazen.

“There had been a lot of concern about plans to build new homes in the village when the Local Plan was first released last year, but relief when these sites were not included on the preferred options this month.

“There is now, naturally, a lot of confusion and anger that this company and landowner want houses built there.

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“We canvassed residents leaving the consultation at the Parish Rooms this week and not one of them was in favour of the development.

“We also collected 250 signatures against it which will be sent to the planning committee if and when this application goes in.

“Residents in Worsthorne are concerned about the extra traffic that will come to the village, firstly to build the new homes, and then the subsequent aftermath and impact on the local infrastructure.

“We will now keep a close eye on this proposed development which we feel is unsuitable.

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“As a planning application is imminent it is vital that local people make contact with elected representatives at parish,borough and county level.

“Anyone with a genuine interest in direct involvement can leave their details on 075140 72393 with a view to working with the residents’ group.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “We can understand the confusion.

“The landowner put these sites forward as possible additional sites for development but the council has decided not to include them in the preferred options document which we’ve just started further public consultation on.

“However, planning applications can be put forward at any time.”

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