FURIOUS residents in Earby are to write to the Government Ombudsman demanding an investigation into plans to build 50 homes in the town.

The group, led by ex-councillor Alison Brewer, are angry at the decision by councillors to grant permission to build the homes on land in Bawhead Road.

Miss Brewer claims councillors ignored the concerns of residents, who raised fears over traffic chaos, an increased risk of flooding and the threat to village life.

She said a traffic survey conducted on behalf of the council was inaccurate, and in the morning rush hour the town was gridlocked.

She said: "We are writing to the Ombudsman expressing our concerns over the decision.

"The council did not want to look at it because money is the issue.

"They have no understanding of the level of feeling in the town."

Councillors last week gave outline planning permission to build the homes on the site known as Springfield, which has been allocated for housing for many years.

Conditions, including flood prevention measures, traffic calming and improvments to play areas, were attached to the permission as a compromise to residents' concerns.

It is now believed the council will market the land to developers.

However Neil Watson, planning manager for Pendle Council, said the Ombudsman cannot look at the decisions of any council.

He added: "The Ombudsman's role is to look at whether the decision process has been conducted properly and not the matters of the decision."