PLANNING permission has been granted for 40 two-storey dwellings on land off Rossendale Road, Burnley, despite concerns about it leading to extra traffic on an already busy road.

The proposals for the land behind St Mark's Vicarage were approved by the Development Control and Highways Sub Committee providing the developers, Wimpey Homes, could provide a public open space and play area. They were also recommended to make alterations to the layout to prevent the loss of two of the seven trees they have proposed to fell, as well as making changes to the materials and design of the houses so as not to cause a noise nuisance.

John Gilman, a representative of Wimpey Homes, put forward the developers revised plans with the original access moved further up Rossendale Road and away from the bus stop.

Councillor Les Harrison was not in agreement with the plans and said that the £40,000 which the developer is expected to pay the county council for improvements to the public transport infrastructure "does not buy a way to heaven."

The details of his comments were discussed in private and the public were excluded for legal reasons.

He added that the previous applications for this land had been refused and that if it wasn't good enough for 32 dwellings then it wasn't good enough for 40 either.

Councillor Charles Bullas said the county council were carrying out a study into the possible improvements for pedestrian safety and to stopping some of the queue lengths on Rossendale Road by revising the signals.

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