PROTESTERS who turned out in force to hear whether plans to build 190 houses off Knotts Lane would be given the go-ahead heard that a decision would be deferred until April after new information came to light.

Chairman of the Colne and District Committee, councillor Jo Belbin, said the Lancashire Wildlife Trust had submitted details relating to the former railway sidings shortly before the meeting which would have to be considered by members and the planning department before they could decide whether to follow planners' advice to approve the proposal.

Persimmon Homes has submitted amended plans for 190 homes, consisting of 88 detached houses, 74 linked houses, 20 semi-detached houses and eight bungalows, as well as a wildlife area, area of public space, play area and landscaped corridor along the watercourse.

The Wildlife Trust objected to the inclusion of the railway sidings in the plans as they say they meet the selection criteria for Biological Heritage Site status and should be classed as greenfield land.

Coun Alan Davies said: "The Wildlife Trust has put the council in a position which is likely to cost the council a considerable amount of money because of the way they've gone about their brief.

"They've now come with further information and it appears on the face of it they are saying what we told you the first time is not entirely true and we actually did more than what we said. I really think it is important these people should understand they've not helped at all."

No one from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust was available for comment.