CONCERNS residents feel like they have not been consulted enough over new homes in Hoddlesden were dismissed.

Cllr Jacqui Slater wanted Blackburn with Darwen Council planning and highways committee members to defer making a decision on plans to build 14 new homes on the old allotments site off Albert Street.

She said people fear the development will have a negative impact on traffic in the area and there is a concern access to the site will prove difficult.

“Residents don’t feel like they have been listened to,” she added.

"I'm told that they have not been consulted enough about the things that are concerning them like access for emergency services and bin wagons.

But officers said the scheme had been in the pipeline for more than 10 months and extensive discussions had been held with people who live in the area.

And borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said the scheme had already been revised down from 24 homes to 14 in order to allay some concerns.

He added: “I think those of us who went to the site understand everyone’s concerns but also understand this is a where a development will work.

“My sense is as a planning committee if we turn this down there is a danger that the planning inspector would see us as being unfair because the developers have got a very thoroughly worked out traffic management scheme in there.

"At the end of the day, some people will not be pleased and I can understand that. The danger of a deferral is we come back in a month and still there are people who are not happy."

Last year, MJ Hart Homes put forward an application to Blackburn with Darwen Council proposing 14 new homes on land off Albert Street in Hoddlesden.

The site was used as allotments but has since been cleared and the assorted sheds and other structures on the site taken down.

But 66 letters objecting to the development had been received by town hall bosses.

Concerns expressed range from loss of privacy, risk of flooding and strain on GP services and schools to visual impact on the conservation area.

Fears were also raised about increased traffic, access problems and road safety.

Despite that, members voted to approve the development and permission was granted.