A DEVELOPER was given the green light for a residential scheme in Rawtenstall this week, 10 years after the council first approved it.

In a U-turn from Ross-endale Council planners, Valley developers Hurstwood was given permission to build 48 homes off Oaklands Drive and Lower Cribden Avenue.

In 1997, the council approved Hurstwood's original application to build 31 homes on the site.

But the Section 106 agreement - under which developers must provide some benefit for the community in return for an approved application - was never finalised.

A subsequent further application was then refused by the council's development control committee last year, on grounds of housing oversupply.

The issue led to the council being found guilty of maladministration by a Local Government Ombudsman, and bosses were asked to pay £2,500 compensation to Hurstwood.

On Tuesday, the committee unanimously approved the plans for 29 detached houses, four semi-detached and 15 apartments, despite opposition from residents. Twenty four letters of objection had been sent in.

Teenage resident Matthew Taylor, from Oaklands Drive, spoke against the application at the committee meeting on Tuesday, outlining concerns including the loss of privacy to existing properties, and increased traffic and access problems.

He said: "There is already double parking in the road, with these new houses there will be at least 96 more cars using the road."

But members went along with planning officers' recommendation to approve the plans, on the grounds that the development will provide affordable housing through the semi detached houses and apartments.

Head of planning, democratic and legal services Linda Fisher said: "This application offers a higher density of homes which is a more efficient use of the land, and offers affordable homes, which are needed in Rossendale."

Under the Section 106 agreement, Hurstwood will contribute £48,000 towards recreation facilities in the area.