A FIGHT to stop a controversial housing development in Earby could finally to be over.

Detailed plans from McDermott Developments Ltd for 56 houses in Bawhead Road will be discussed by the West Craven Committee on Tuesday.

And although councillors will have the final say on the contentious scheme, planning officials from Pendle Council have recommended they be approved.

The decision has angered protesters. Alistair Higgins, who has spearheaded the People of Earby Against the Development of Farmers Fields (PEADOFF) group, vowed to battle on.

He said: "It's certainly not over. We believe the decision was wrong and until the first houses are built we will oppose this development because of the loss of amenity purely for profit."

And although Earby councillor Chris Tennant hoped for a last-minute change he admitted his fears were that the decision had already been taken.

He said: "I think it's a fait accompli but reading the report there's a lot of issues that haven't even been mentioned."

The development consists of a mix of housing with 15 four-bedroom detached houses, 22 three-bedroom detached houses, 16 three-bedroom semi-detached and a group of three semi-detached houses.

Development manager Andrew Darbyshire said: "The most contentious objections were raised at the outline stage which were turned over by the council.

"All we are doing now is applying for reserved matters consent which deals with the siting of the properties, design, external appearance and landscaping."

The saga has dragged on since August 2004 when Pendle's top councillors agreed to sell the land at Bawhead Road and Bailey Street, which was designated for housing in the council's Local Plan in 1999, to the Burnley developers for £3.6 million.

Neil Watson, head of planning, said: "The application has gone through the full planning process in accordance with the local plan. The developer has now come in with detailed plans subsequent to receiving outline planning permission and in terms of what is being proposed we are quite happy."

As part of the outline planning permission McDermott had to pay £30,000 for a CCTV scheme, £60,000 to improve open spaces, £10,000 for a cycle link, £20,000 to Lancashire County Council for a quality bus service, £30,000 for a 20mph zone in the Wentcliffe Drive area and £30,000 towards flood alleviation in Earby.