PLANS to build 40 houses in Colne have been thrown out after residents and councillors branded them ridiculous.

Crownway Homes Ltd wanted to put a mixture of two to three-storey houses on land off Knotts Lane, similar to a scheme dismissed at appeal in February, arguing the land was brownfield - previously developed ground - because it had found evidence of a brickworks.

Representing the residents, Eric Crimmins of Knotts Lane, said: "I'm totally baffled as to how this application reached this far.

"They are now claiming this particular site is brownfield land and how they reached that conclusion, I don't know.

"If they had to excavate, that proves the land is greenfield."

Mr Crimmins's views were shared by councillors.

Waterside Coun Ian Robinson said: "It's blatantly obvious this is a greenfield site. They are clutching at straws.

"If we start arguing there was something there 100 years ago, if you put a rabbit hutch on a piece of land you could then build on it. It's ridiculous."

The plans were turned down because they would result in the loss of greenfield land, affect the character of the area, and went against the council's current bar on housing developments.