RESIDENTS are objecting to plans to build 34 houses on land off Earby Road between Earby and Salterforth.

About 15 residents and Earby Town Council have objected to the outline application by Cross Construction.

The developer of the site, which is near Earby's Northolme estate, is seeking to build a mixture of bungalows, two-storey homes and three-storey houses with two, three and four bedrooms. Six of the homes would be affordable housing.

Earby councillor Mike Goulthorp, chairman of the West Craven Area Committee, said: "Clearly the residents are not happy with the access and the impact on the town's infrastructure.

"That road is not good and this development would result in more and more vehicles travelling on it. The development would affect both sides of the hill at Salterforth and Earby, so you can understand why the residents aren't happy."

Earby Town Council chairman, Cllr Chris Tennant, said: "There have been a massive amount of objections from the residents, but the town council has objected because of the lack of footpaths and the access is on a dangerous road."

He added the council would prefer the developers not to build in the open countryside, as the town has a number of brownfield sites that could be used.

He also pointed out the development could compromise the town's drainage system, which was inundated by floodwater during the winter.

Cllr Tennant said the Environment Agency is currently carrying out £500,000 of work to upgrade the Victoria Clough culvert.