PLANS to build 28 townhouses in Colne are expected to go-ahead despite residents complaining that councillors are not looking after their interests.

Pendle Borough Council consulted 25 neighbours about the scheme for land off Keighley Road and Standroyd Road and received 26 letters back.

Among the comments was one saying 'the voted-in councillors are not looking after the local people'.

Crownway Homes originally applied to build 31 three-storey houses on the site but the plans included council land which is now not available.

Plans to close off Standroyd Road with a line of bollards, which also raised objections from the public, have been dropped from the scheme. Two off-street parking spaces will be provided for each house.

People wrote in to the council to say the number of houses would add to road safety problems, three-storey houses were inappropriate and would reduce privacy and light to neighbouring properties, the amount of off-street parking was insufficient and there was no children's play area.

Council officers have recommended the plans be approved. They say the development will not be significantly taller than existing houses and will not have an impact on neighbouring properties.

A traffic calming scheme is likely to be a condition of planning permission and the developer would be required to make a contribution of £38,000 toward public open space which could mean upgrading or creating a playground.

Pendle Borough Council's Colne and District Committee will discuss the scheme at Colne Town Hall tomorrow at 7pm.