PLANS to build up to 63 homes on land near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Barnoldswick have been re-submitted by the applicant.

The land north east of Meadow Way, off Skipton Road, has previously been referred to by local residents as a “jewel in the crown” for Pendle because of its proximity to the canal and the Greenberfield Locks.

The new application, submitted by Manchester-based Future Habitats Ltd, is a 3.42 hectare site, resulting in a reduction of 39 homes from a previous outline application for 102 homes, which was rejected in January.

During that meeting attended by100 local residents at Rolls Royce Leisure in Barnoldswick, members of Pendle Council’s Development Management Committee unanimously voted to refuse the outline application to build the houses on 5.44 hectares of land because of the proposed development’s impact on open countryside, heritage assets and landscape character.

During the January meeting, Linda McCreadie, who lives at the Old Lockhouse along the canal, said: “This development would urbanise a rural area and would have a damaging impact on the landscape.

“The people of Pendle need and love this area and they should be able to enjoy the jewel in the crown of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.”

AAH Planning Consultants, the agents for Future Habitats Ltd, said at the time they would re-submit a plan to address concerns by the objectors.

Their re-submitted outline plan is for access only, with all other matters reserved for future approval.

In the application, AAH Planning Consultants wrote: “The amount of proposed development has been reduced to address comments raised by the council.

“The application site would be sited further away from the heritage assets associated with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and so that the proposed built development is closer to the existing built edge of Barnoldswick.

“The proposal aims to strike a balance between the provision of housing with sufficient parking, amenity space, landscaping and the preservation of the existing key features of the site.

“An indicative masterplan has been prepared to accompany the application, which illustrates how the proposed development of up to 63 dwelling units could be accommodated on the site.

“This level of development would be in character with the existing settlement and allow for sufficiently spacious layout to accommodate suitable areas of recreation open space and allow for the necessary separation between properties to ensure there would be no significant impact upon residential amenity.