FUTURE developments in Barrowford could reach a stalemate because councillors refuse to allow three- storey buildings which are needed to avoid the flood plain.

Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee has blocked a second attempt by Dalesmoor Homes Ltd to build three-storey town houses and apartment blocks at Vale Weavers, Caldervale. But the refusal could have a knock-on effect for other developers trying to build in the village.

Because the Environment Agency has told the council the ground floor of new buildings on the flood plain cannot be used for living accommodation which means developers want to build three storey properties with garages underneath.

Coun Alan Vickerman said: "This has been before us before. We welcome houses down there but we expressed our views that we don't like the three storey type. Time after time we've expressed this.

"Nevertheless, the Envir-onment Agency has said we've got to accept them. I just don't like the style but we really want development. The area is getting better and Newbridge is becoming more popular."

Co-opted councillor Mick Simpson said: "They are three-storey buildings and we are on record as not liking every one of them. The height is 1.8 metres taller than the mill.

"Three-storey building on Caldervale would closer than the Inmans building was and a condition on that was reduce to two storeys."

Coun John David also spoke out against the design and loss of a historic building.

He said: "It is frankly cramming as many units in as possible and as high as possible.

"We want a decent and well designed development there to compensate for losing some of our industrial heritage."

Barrowford and Western Parishes voted unanimously to refuse the plans for six townhouses and a block of eight apartments.