PROTESTERS objecting to the plans to build 101 houses on land off Knotts Lane, Colne, were given a glint of hope when councillors decided not to automatically approve the proposals.

Members of the Colne and District Committee were recommended to approve the application but the strong feelings of protest from the residents led to them going against planning officers' advice.

Campaign group Get Knotted is against the proposed Beazer Homes development on the former railway sidings because they believe it is an important ecological area of Colne.

Despite planning officers saying the site has "no formally acknowledged significant wildlife value" and comes under the definition "previously developed land", councillors chose to refuse the plans.

Committee chairman Coun Jo Belbin said: "There's a tremendous sense of feeling from residents that they don't want this and although it was designated as housing land ten years ago, since then vegetation has grown.

"Because it has already been deferred once we thought it wouldn't be safe to defer it again.

"An impact study needs to be carried out on the site but it needs to be done over the year to look at all the different wildlife and flowers.

"We thought it would be better to refuse it but because the decision went against the advice of the officers it was deferred back to the policy committee."

The council received 39 letters of objection stating 61 separate reasons why residents think the application should not be approved, including the loss of green-field land and wildlife. The application will be discussed at the Policy Committee on March 19.