A ROW has broken out over plans for a new housing development.

Land at the top of Bawhead Road, Earby, known as Springfield, has been earmarked for housing in the local plan for many years.

Pendle Council, which owns the land, has decided to market the site to developers. It has applied for outline planning permission for 50 houses.

In the proposals the authority has identified Bawhead Road as the access point.

But this has angered local residents who claim it will cause traffic chaos because Bawhead Road and the roads leading up to it are narrow with sharp bends.

Lancashire highways department has also raised concerns about the access and is conducting a traffic survey before the plans go before the West Craven committee next month.

The alternative access is in Bailey Street, but this provides access to Earby County Primary School and Country Holidays, which has been granted permission to extend its car park.

Alison Brewer, who lives in Bawhead Road, said: "This piece of land has been designated for housing for years and residents thought it had been decided that the access would be in Bailey Street.

"Then we find out that, in this application, the access is in Bawhead Road. No-one has been consulted about this. The council is not putting safety first and that is diabolical."

Earby ward councillor Chris Tennant, said: "The last time the access to that piece of land came up it was down to go along Bailey Street but then this application came forward indicating Bawhead Road. Neither access is going to be without its problems but Bailey Street is preferable. However, to be used it would need significant improvements."

Coun Tenant added: "We are not against the development, but we need to make sure that all the issues, including highway safety, are addressed."

But Coun Rosemary Carroll, who also represents Earby ward said the Bailey Street access would cause even more problems. She said: "As councillors we have said that the Bailey Street access is not good enough because of the school and Country Holidays.

"Increasing the number of cars further by using Bailey Street as the access for a development of 50 houses would not be right."

A meeting of residents to discuss the issue, before the planning application goes to committee, is being arranged for the end of February.