A MAJOR new housing development planned on greenfield land has sparked concerns from residents about the impact it will have on infrastructure.

Some 130 homes have been earmarked for land north of Higher Saxifield Street, in Briercliffe.

The application - newly lodged with Burnley Council by Countryside Homes North West Ltd - will include a range of two to five-bedroom homes.

Briercliffe councillor Margaret Lishman said residents have come forward to her with concerns about the effect the plans will have on traffic, schools and flooding.

Cllr Lishman said: “There are obvious concerns about the strain the development will place on infrastructure.

“We have a lot of narrow roads in Briercliffe with lots of traffic already.

“So having 130 houses with potentially two cars in each house would mean an extra 260 cars on the road.

“Then there is the effect on the two local schools, Briercliffe Primary School and St James’ Lanehead, which are already full.

“Briercliffe Health Centre is also at capacity with thousands of patients.”

A public meeting has now been organised by Cllr Lishman and fellow Briercliffe councillor, Cllr Anne Kelly, for residents to voice their views on the plans.

Cllr Lishman added: “We want to allow people locally to express their views.

“Another concern is this could bring more flooding as we’ve already seen issues with run-off from houses on Standen Hall Drive, Grassington Drive and Clockhouse Avenue.

“We already live in a densely populated area and these plans will add to that, so there are some real concerns here.”

But in planning documents on behalf of Countryside Homes, agent Aldrock Ltd, said that a a full drainage strategy has been undertaken for the site and careful consideration has been made of the impact of surface water run-off.

While they said the development would provide a mix of housing that will fill the gap in the local area housing supply.

Planning documents added that the scheme would have little or no impact on roads in the area.

A public meeting discussing the plans will take place on Thursday, July 11, at Briercliffe Community Centre from 7.30pm.