CAMPAIGNERS against the controversial planning application for 190 houses on land off Knotts Lane in Colne are awaiting a decision at the council's development control committee meeting on Monday.

Residents who formed the protest group Get Knotted were delighted when Colne and District Committee refused the plans. But because of the risks to the council of unnecessary and excessive costs at an appeal by the applicant, Persimmon Homes, the issue was passed on to development control.

At a public inquiry, the council must demonstrate a reasonable case for refusing planning permission and the officer view was that no such case could be adequately substantiated.

The applicant has now provided a detailed management plan and a revised plan which shows the improvement of further land outside the current application site, which is in the control of the applicant, which will create more opportunities for wildlife corridors.

Planning manager Andy Wiggett has advised members of the committee to look at all the information provided and grant approval of the development, subject to 22 conditions.

The council has received nine individual letters of objection, two standard duplicated letters signed by 158 local residents, 76 non-local Pendle and Burnley residents and 17 from Gibfield School and one from Fisher More who would like to see the area turned in to a wildlife educational area.