Controversial plans to build hundreds of new homes on a Great Harwood playing field have been approved at a ‘passionate’ meeting of the Hyndburn planning committee.

The committee approved planning permission by eight votes to four for Reilly Developments Ltd to build up to 250 houses, as well as four football pitches and changing facilities, on Lyndon Playing Fields.

Council Leader Miles Parkinson said he was ‘very pleased’ with the result.

He said: “In my 20 years on the council I’ve never known such a good, major application come forward and tick all these boxes, and deliver so much more than just building houses - it’s incredibly rare.

“This development will bring more people to the town and that will then feed into the local economy. At the same time any capital receipt that comes forward from the sale will be reinvested in the local area creating an income stream.”

Responding to objections voiced at the meeting by campaign group, the Lyndon Playing Fields Association, Coun Parkinson said that there were ‘emotive issues’, but the decision was made in context with planning law.

Coun Parkinson said: “At the meeting all the facts were listened to and dealt with. Objectors claimed it was a done deal between the council and Reilly, but all we have done is we work together in a positive way.

“There are always people who object but you have to see the bigger picture, this way greenbelt sites are protected and housing is kept within the urban boundary.

“The simple fact is what this has delivered is a win, win, win situation.”

Ian Wilkinson, a campaigner from the Lyndon Playing Fields association was at the meeting.

Afterwards, he said: “The result was expected. Great Harwood does not need 250 houses.

“We are happy for the footballers but the development could have been built without using Lyndon Playing Fields.”