DEVELOPERS are hopeful that upgrading their ambitions for a housing development on spare land in Rawtenstall will find favour with councillors.

Land known as Hurst Platt, off Waingate Road, Rawtenstall, was said to be suitable for eight new properties, four pairs of semi-detached houses, by Rossendale’s development control committee last December.

Now site owner Raymond Stansfield has approached borough planners seeking permission for eight detached homes instead at the site, off Newchurch Road.

Planning agent Steven Hartley said that the new proposals would ‘deliver a choice of housing in the local area’.

The houses should also not encroach on nearby homes, according to previous appeal decisions for the site, he added.