OUTLINE plans to build 102 homes on land near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Barnoldswick were rejected on Monday.

In a meeting attended by approximately 100 local residents at Rolls Royce Leisure in Barnoldswick, members of Pendle Council’s Development Management Committee unanimously voted to refuse an outline application by Future Habitats Limited to build the houses on 5.44 hectares of land north east of Meadow Way, off Skipton Road.

The outline plans were refused because of the proposed development’s impact on open countryside, heritage assets and landscape character.

Near the end of a lengthy meeting, Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp made a motion to refuse the outline application for the three above reasons set out in the planning officer’s recommendation.

He said: “The significance of the heritage assets are not just local or national, but international, and we have a duty to protect our heritage.

“On a clear day you can see Ingleborough and the Dales across the drumlin fields, and that is one view you will see nowhere else in Barnoldswick. That view of the landscape would be destroyed forever.”

Representing Barnoldswick Town Council, Cllr Claire Teale said: “We strongly object to this proposal. Building on this field would destroy this special area. Greenberfield Locks is a ‘jewel in the crown’ for the canal and is of national and local significance.

“The area is unique and is an asset for the whole of the landscape,” said Linda McCreadie, who lives in the historic lock house near the canal.

Local resident Nigel Harris said: “The Core Strategy says planning should recognise the intrinsic beauty of an area, and this development doesn’t do that.

“It is ill considered and should be refused for the good of Barnoldswick and visitors alike.”

Ian Lyons, an Earby town councillor and a Conservative candidate for Coates Ward, Barnoldswick, said: “A development like this would significantly affect the quality of life in this rural area, and would result in the loss of a greenfield site that could never be replaced.”

Local resident Peter Elgie said that anyone moving onto the proposed site would need to drive a car to access local services and schools.

But he added: “To get out on to Skipton Road is a nightmare. A 30mph speed limit doesn’t mean anything to a lot of people using that road.”

Local resident Adrian Coles said the development would be put a lot of strain on a culvert which runs under the canal.

He said: “That’s the only culvert carrying waste water and sewage under the canal. When Whitworth Way flooded a few years ago, that culvert could not cope. If this is planned, I’d have to move house. They’ve already had to carry out work to underpin my house.”

“We’ve heard a lot of words tonight from people talking a lot of sense,” said committee member and Earby councillor Mike Goulthorp. “Quite clearly this area is unique and I’d strongly support refusal.”

Committee member Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, who is leader of Pendle Council, added: “I’m happy to stand shoulder to shoulder with residents here tonight. Even if infrastructure was put into this application, I still wouldn’t build houses here.”