BATTLING villagers have won their fight to have plans for new stables thrown out.

Residents of Hollin Hall, Trawden, were horrified at the scheme for an L-shaped block --18.3metres lon, 12.5metres wide and 2.8metres high -- with an all weather turn out area in a field near Slackbooth House.

Neighbours said the plans would spoil the view and change an area close to an archaeological site, which has been unchanged for 1,000 years.

Residents turned out in force to a Trawden Parish Council meeting this week and again to Pendle Council's Colne and District committee, which blocked the plan.

Applicant Mike Langley said: "We own two horses with another two following shortly. We carefully considered the residents and offered to screen the stables with a hawthorne hedge but if necessary we will remove it.

"The nearest house is 35metres away and the application is for private use, not commercial. It is not excessive."

But neighbours and councillors disagreed. Resident Steve Parker said: "We are objecting to yet another large and inappropriate development.

"It is outside the settlement boundary, in open countryside and far too large. There are concerns about drainage, effluent and excess use of the access gateway from Hollin Hall."

Planning officer Neil Watson told committee members they had to consider the application on its own merits and ignore concerns about Slackbooth House, which is still being built.

Coun Alan Davies, for Boulsworth, said: "I have been approached by a significant number of people and residents have discussed their views with me.

"It is my very strong belief the scale of this proposed development and impact on the area are beyond anything which could seriously be considered at all.

"You've only got to look at our own policies about development in the countryside to see that there are only eight uses which would meet them.

"This does not fit any of them."