A DISTRICT council proposal for 13 affordable houses on a parcel of land in Station Road, Hellifield, has been turned down by its own planning department.

Members refused the application by six votes to four which would have provided a series of terraced, semi-detached and detached entry-level homes on land to the east of Midland Terrace. The road in unadopted.

The plans had attracted dozens of objections, including from Hellifield Parish Council.

Vice chairman David Statt said at the meeting on Monday that the parish council 'strongly objected' adding that if the houses are build it would mean Hellifield would have 58 affordable homes on three estates within a mile of each other.

"Craven District Council is trying to unburden itself of all its housing quota on Hellifield in an unbalanced and disproportionate manner."

He said everyone wanted affordable housing but this was 'not good planning' and said the district council was acting as both judge and jury on its own application.

Ward councillor Chris Moorby echoed the parish council, adding he was concerned about safety issues with increased traffic, constructions vehicles and especially as the government is looking to open the Hellifield to Clitheroe line to passengers which would generate more traffic.

Cllr Andy Brown proposed rejection of the application and said the loss of mature trees would be a harmful impact and 'wholly unacceptable' while Cllr Alan Sutcliffe added that although the supply of affordable housing was a 'tantalising offer on the table', he said it was in the wrong place and that Hellifield had already met more than its quota.

Supporting the plans, Cllr Carl Lis said he felt the trees earmarked for removal were 'way past their best' and that the element of planning gain in homes for young people outweighed their loss.

After hearing the district council would 'manage' the replacement trees, Cllr Steven Morrell questioned who would continue the management when CDC ceased in 2023. He was told by the case officer that the management plan was for five years and that the new authority would take over the responsibility beyond 2023.

Members, however, voted against the proposals stating it was against policies ENV 2 (b and c) and ENV 4, as well as causing a 'significant loss of biodiversity on the north of the site (higher density of trees) which would affect the heritage asset and conservation area by a development north of the wayleave'.