CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after preventing a housing development from being created in the grounds of a bungalow.

Objectors to the proposed development of 16 homes at Parker Avenue in Clitheroe are victorious after the bid was withdrawn.

The plan aimed to build affordable homes next to the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, following the demolition of a bungalow on the site.

The bid resulted in 15 letters of objection and 64 signatures on a petition.

Objections were also sent by Gisburn Parish Council and Clitheroe Town Council citing concerns about school provision, highways safety, and the ‘excessive size’ for a greenfield plot.

Clitheroe Town Council objected access to the 1.43 hectare site was ‘poor’, the development would ‘impinge on a wildlife reserve’ and would be ‘detrimental’ to surrounding landowners.

The application has now been withdrawn after it was recommended for refusal by planners at Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Lancashire County Council had also requested £80,000 from the developer towards provision of local school places should the bid go ahead.

Campaigners have said they are relieved the ‘ridiculous’ plan has been withdrawn Town and ward councillor Mary Robinson said: “I am just so relieved this plan has been withdrawn.

“There would have been a lot of people taking a stand if it had not. At the town council we saw the problems with the bid immediately. It is too big, it impinges on the conservation area.

“For a bungalow the site is fine, but for 16 homes it is just not on.”

The plan for land in Parker Avenue was submitted to the council by Salford-based applicant Bowsall Ltd.

In their application they described the site, where a bungalow was due to be demolished as ‘low quality scrubland’ next to ‘an enjoyable area of green space which supersedes the applicant’s site of public value’.

Bowsall Ltd were unavailable for comment.