WORRIED Barnoldswick residents have called into question the wisdom of building close to 150 new homes in the town.

A proposal has been submitted to Pendle Council for 101 three-bedroom and 47 two-bedroom houses on the site of the former Barnsay Shed and the field next to it in Long Ing Lane.

But residents fear the number of new homes and an increased population of several hundred people could put too much strain on the town's existing infrastructure.

The site, of roughly 12 acres, is near the Silentnight factory and the Leeds-Liverpool canal, and will feature two and three-storey houses.

Existing access points in Long Ing Lane are to be improved and upgraded as part of the application, which also includes parking spaces for 222 cars.

There would also be parking spaces for almost 300 bicycles. A new access footpath would also be created.

'Green corridors', open spaces, other pedestrian paths, tree planting areas and ponds are also included in the scheme.

But, said resident Jennifer Purcell, without a corresponding investment in infrastructure, the town would find it difficult to cope.

She added: "Barnoldswick is essentially still a mill town. Would the roads be able to take the increased traffic?

"Families today seem to have two or even three cars per household, so that's a lot of extra vehicles on Barnoldswick roads.

"There would be obviously be more children for schools to accommodate, too, when some are already over-subscribed and some need more classrooms. Would the dentist and the clinic be able to cope?

"Also, no-one is sure yet how many of these homes will be affordable ones. It's all very well putting in these plans but, currently, Barnoldswick does not have the infrastructure to deal with this development. If it was to get the go-ahead, there would need to be a corresponding investment in the town itself. The council's planners have a lot to think about."

The plans are due to go before Pendle Council’s West Craven Committee with a target date of December 1.