A developer is hoping it is third time lucky after submitting another application to build houses at a former farm shop shut for six years.

New plans have gone in for six houses to be built on the old Roaming Roosters site in Barrowford Road, Higham, with the existing shop building to be flattened.

Two previous applications to Pendle Council, for 12 homes in November 2022 and eight homes in July 2023, were rejected by the council, with an appeal against the latest decision dismissed in April.

Scotland-based developer Charles McDermott has once again submitted plans for the site, which opened as Roaming Roosters farm shop in 2012 before closing without explanation in 2018.

Documents submitted with the plans say the new application has been through “a rigorous analysis and redesign” to address issues raised in previous refusals.

It states: “The proposal would reduce the amount of hardstanding at the site.

“The sizable parking area would be replaced by a single estate road with visitor parking and driveways set among green spaces and landscaping.

“The proposal would reduce the overall floor area and footprint by 42 per cent, nearly half of that which currently occupies the site.

“Aligned with the comments made by the appeal inspectorate in their report of April 24, the designs remain informed by surrounding development.

“The use of local materials, with cobbled driveways and natural boundary treatments is reflective of the largely rural nature of the immediate surroundings.

“The buildings are set back on the site to be the same distance from Barrowford Road as the existing building on the site, in keeping with and informed by the nature and layout of similar residential streets nearby.”

Plans add the housing would resolve the “derelict and vacant nature of this brownfield site” and add to the area’s housing mix, located equidistantly between Higham and Fence.

Houses would be fitted with air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points and solar panels to boost sustainability, with each a detached four-bedroom house with a garden and off-street parking.

The site would retain a pond area and “enhanced landscaping” to retain its rural feel and partially obscure view of the houses from the road.

Plans add: “Roaming Roosters presents the opportunity to create a well-considered housing development as an appropriate solution for the development of this disused site.”

Public consultation is open until Friday, October 25, and to comment on the plans visit the Pendle Council website.