AN OUTLINE plan to build six houses at Morris Ing in Earby has been rejected due to concerns about flooding.

Members of the West Craven Area Committee refused re-submitted proposals to build six two-storey homes at the site off Skipton Road.

Ed Parker, technical director for Mason Clark Associates, who prepared the flood risk assessment, told the committee: "The water coming off the site is normal for greenfield run-off.

"The site is approximately a metre lower than the road, but the house levels will be built at three metres above that level, so they don't flood.

"We've conceded there would be localised flooding and we've arranged that those flows are directed away from the properties."

However, councillors disagreed as they felt flooding would be a problem.

"Flooding happens there frequently," said committee chairman, Cllr David Whipp. "I personally witnessed the water coming on to the site from the Boxing Day flooding. The water comes off the drumlins, goes over the road and ponds on the site."

Cllr Whipp also questioned what would happen to floodwaters if the houses were built up.

He added: "If you build them up, where is the water those structures displace going to go? I can't see a solution to that problem."

Mr Parker said: "There may be localised ponding, but the evidence we have shows the flows would take it downstream and we don't believe the development will impinge on the flow path."

"I don't agree with what you're saying," said Cllr Whipp. "There are huge quantities of water and these incidents are repeated. It's not something that happens once in a blue moon. It happens at least every five to seven years, but we've had three incidents recently."

Earby councillor, Rosemary Carroll, added: "Unless you built those houses on stilts, they're going to flood. I move that we turn it down."

Neil Watson, Pendle Council's planning and building manager, suggested the committee could approve the plan and make a condition for flood attenuation measures.

But Earby councillor, Morris Horsfield, said: "I can't see what condition you can put on it. It's a colossal amount of water. It doesn't make basic common sense to build there."