CONTROVERSIAL plans to re-open a mothballed concrete works at the top of a steep hill have sparked renewed opposition from local residents and councillors.

News that Tarmac Quarry Products has submitted a new planning application for the works, in Knotts Lane, Colne, have been greeted with dismay by people living in the area, who had campaigned hard to stop the plant re-opening.

"This is a very unsuitable place for such a plant, at the top of a steep hill in a residential area," said Councillor Edwina Sargeant. "It is also next to the new housing land at Tum Hills and who wants a plan like this next to a new residential estate?

"We will fight and fight and fight again to stop this works opening up again."

The plant closed in the mid-1980s, but three years ago Pendle Council gave planning permission for the plant to re-open, despite a campaign by local residents. The following year a new application was deferred by councillors and never decided upon, following even more intensive protests.

Councillor Tony Greaves, who was chairman of the former plans sub-committee which looked at the second application, said: "I was pleased that when Liberals took over the council from Labour we were able to defer making a decision and at least put off the evil day.

"We held talks with Tarmac and I had hoped that they had seen sense about this site.

"I do not believe it will make commercial sense for them and it does not make environmental sense for residents."

Coun Greaves, a ward councillor and chairman of the council's Colne area committee which is due to discuss the application on July 3, said the scheme would be given full and proper consideration.

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