A DEVELOPMENT of 38 bungalows for older people on the outskirts of an East Lancashire village can now go ahead despite 48 objections.

Councillors on Burnley's development control committee granted planning permission for the new estate on scrubland west of Smithyfield Avenue in Worsthorne.

They attached 29 conditions to the approval given at Thursday night's meeting.

The development by Applethwaite Ltd will comprise of 24 two-bedroomed bungalows, both semi-detached and detached, and 14 more detached homes with three-bedrooms.

There would be three different house types with four of the homes available through shared ownership schemes.

A planning officer's report revealed 48 letters of objection had been received by the council.

They included concerns about the loss of agricultural land, destruction of green fields and local countryside; the impact on health and wellbeing from the loss of the tranquil surroundings over-development of the site; traffic and noise.

The report, by Erika Eden-Porter, says: "The application site, a linear parcel of species poor grass/grazing land.

"It immediately adjoins the western edge of the residential area of Brownside, Worsthorne.

"The application site is allocated for housing development.

"The application seeks planning permission for the erection of 38 bungalows restricted to households with at least one person aged 55 and over.

"The proposal seeks to develop a site that is allocated for housing in Burnley's Local Plan which will make an important contribution to housing supply by catering for the needs of older people.

"Overall, it is considered that, subject to the imposition of relevant conditions and legal agreements, the proposal would not cause or exacerbate congestion, highway safety issues or on-street parking problems

"It is considered that, subject to the recommended conditions, the proposal would not result in any significant harm to protected species and would result in net gains for biodiversity.

"Accordingly, there are no material reasons to refuse this application on its ecological impacts.

"The scheme would also provide highly energy efficient homes and provide a degree of affordable housing with all properties designed as accessible and adaptable homes."