CAMPAIGNERS have told of their disappointment after a council signalled that houses could be built on Gib Hill.

The intention to build homes on the land between Nelson and Colne is included in Pendle Council's local plan which outlines how the borough will be developed over the next 15 years.

The plan states that building can take place on Gib Hill, but only to replace houses demolished under the Elevate regeneration programme, which cannot be located elsewhere in the borough.

Other key aspects of the plan are that Trough Laithe, Barrowford and Lidgett Triangle, Skipton Old Road/Castle Road, Red Lane, all Colne, have been designated a protected area, meaning they should not be built on.

Provisions have also been made to safeguard the A56 corridor from development, enabling a by-pass to be built round Pendle's villages or the re-opening of the Colne to Skipton rail line.

Land at South Valley Drive, Knotts Lane, off Dewhurst Street, and Red Lane, all Colne, have been declared open countryside.

However the Moorlands, Barnoldswick, the vinegar works, Barrowford, and Kibble Grove, Brierfield, can be built on.

The report is binding, meaning councillors have to adopt all or none of it.

Nearly 1,000 people took part in a public inquiry as the plan, which maps out where houses, industrial units and new shops can be put in the borough, was drawn up by government inspector Shelagh Bussey.

Andrew Ashworth, spokesman for Residents Against Gib Hill Exploitation, said: "Whilst we are disappointed that the inspector has confirmed the safeguarding of Gib Hill for possible housing at some future date, we are encouraged by the increased emphasis that any development will only be permitted as part of Elevate."

Neil Watson, the council's planning and building control manager said the authority could not work without a planning blueprint.

He added: "It is acceptable to develop on there (Gib Hill) if under the Elevate programme there is not enough space to replace the cleared dwellings on the land cleared.

"But it is not on the general housing allocation."

The council's executive have approved the local plan but a final decision will be made at the full council meetingtomorrow.