Neighbours face fresh battle against second planning appllication for homes on one of Padiham's beauty spots

Less than a month after a planning application to build six detached bungalows on the site known as Craggs Farm in Padiham was turned down by members of Burnley's Development Control committee on the grounds that it was considered to be 'detrimental to the character and appearance of the area,' a second application has been made.

The new application, submitted to Burnley Council on April 1st, is again for six detached bungalows with garages, access, landscaping and ancillary work.

Neighbours banded together after the original plan was submitted to protect the area of land considered to be 'one of the most beautiful and natural' areas of their town.

Residents were also angry after the area, which has long been acknowledged as a 'natural beauty spot' with an abundance of wildlife and vegetation including bats, owls, wild flowers, lilac, trees and even deer in the summer months, was cleared months earlier.

A public meeting was held to draw up a battle plan against the application and residents even chipped in to employ a professional planning consultant to present their case.

A spokesman for residents said they were planning to meet soon to discuss the new application.

In a report presented to Burnley Council by planning officers the scheme for the housing development was described as not being in keeping with the surrounding area by virtue of its 'poor design and layout.'

The plan was also kicked out on the grounds that because it would be built so close to several homes in Whalley Road there would not be enough distance to ensure privacy to the homes.

The area is part of the Huntroyde Estate and lies in a triangle between Blackburn Road, Vicarage Avenue and Whalley Road. There is a building known as Craggs farmhouse on the western boundary.

The site was not included in Burnley's Local Plan, which was adopted last year and sets out the overall strategy for development up to 2032.

Padiham Town Council objected to both the first and the new application and Lancashire County Council has also expressed concerns about parking and access issues in relation to any planning application for the site.

Town councillors have also pointed out that the site was not included in Burnley's Local Plan, which was adopted last year, and sets out the overall strategy for development up to 2032.

The area is part of the Huntroyde Estate and lies in a triangle between Blackburn Road, Vicarage Avenue and Whalley Road. There is a building known as Craggs farmhouse on the western boundary.

In 2007 an application to build a 60 bed care home was turned down and in 2017 a second application for 20 houses on the site was also given the red light.