BEAZER Homes have been told they must carry out an ecological assessment of land they intend to build on before the council will make a decision on the proposed housing development.

The Colne and District Committee had previously refused plans for 101 homes on land off Knotts Lane and referred them to the Policy Committee because of a lack of information.

Members of the Policy Committee were then forced to make a decision on how the council would have resolved the application if it had been able to because the housing developers appealed against the 'non-determination' of the plans.

Councillors deferred the application this week on advice from planning officers until the assessment has been carried out.

A second identical application has been submitted by Beazer Homes while the first is under appeal and the need for an ecological assessment will also apply to this.