RESIDENTS expressed dismay and anger after Colne councillors passed plans for 15 new homes on land dubbed an area's "village green".

People living in Colne Lane and Essex Street expressed fustration at approval being granted for the development on land at Essex Street.

The site has been the subject of a seven months battle between residents, backed by Waterside ward Councillors, and the applicants and the Pendle Council leadership.

Resident Mark Salisbury told councillors that the land was essential for the well-being of local families.

Sue Thompson from Together Housing said the new houses would provide affordable accommodation for local people and Pendle Council would have the right to nominate the first tenants.

Another resident, Rosa McDonnell, had presented a petition from people in the surrounding streets at a previous meeting.

She said the land was vital for children and added: “There are so many areas for affordable homes in Colne where it would improve the area, without squidging this teeny tiny area. What is proposed is an ugly building.”

Ward councillor Tony Greaves (Liberal Democrat) said that the land was classed as public open space and no appropriate replacement was being offered.

He said the land was an amenity space for residents in an area of tightly packed terraced streets and moved an amendment to refuse permission on the grounds of loss of open space and poor design of the scheme.

Cllr Victoria Fletcher (Conservative) seconded the amendment and said that the scheme will affect the quality of life of people who live there and endanger children’s lives.

Councillors voted to grant permission by seven votes to four.

Essex Street resident Anne McGladdery, one of the campaign leaders, said she was shocked by the decision.

She said that the residents were angry and were still looking for ways of stopping this development.