A £6.5 million housing development has been given the go-ahead after campaigners ‘reluctantly accepted’ a compromise with the developer.

The Rishton Community Association (RCA), had originally objected after applicant Gleeson Homes submitted plans for 75 homes on the former Gaskell Carpets factory site, off Parker Street in Rishton.

Councillors unanimously approved the scheme at a recent council planning committee meeting.

The 2.2 hectare site will be transformed into a mixture of two, three and four-bed ‘low cost’ homes with garages and gardens.

Gleeson Homes will also provide £20,000 towards the canal towpath, £5,625 for extra bins and funding the repair of a damaged culvert.

Steve Gamble, land and planning director for Gleeson Homes, said at least 90 per cent of the homes will be affordable to local working couples and employment priority will be given to people living within two miles.

Coun Bernard Dawson said it will be a ‘major development for Rishton and Hyndburn’.

The community association has now agreed to support the scheme after funding was promised by the developer to improve facilities at the nearby Holt Street recreation ground.

The association had previously submitted a 175-signature petition to Hyndburn council opposing the loss of green space on the corner of Parker Street and Hermitage Street, which included the recently relocated Queen’s Jubilee Tree.

A consultation event in Rishton over plans to build 75 new homes at the former Gaskell Carpets Factory. Pictured are local councillors with staff from developer Gleeson Homes.

Katherine Jewell, secretary of the RCA, said they carried out a recent consultation with residents on Talbot Street, Parker Street, Burton Street and Wheatfield Street with nearly two-thirds agreeing to back the scheme with the new conditions.

She told the planning meeting: “We had 82 responses, that’s over four times Gleeson’s initial consultation. A significant 38 per cent of residents asked we continue to fight for the green despite our advice that success at this point would probably result in the factory site not being developed.

"However, 62 per cent agreed we have reached a realistic compromise with the offer of £30,000 to improve the Holt Street recreational ground. In summary residents have admitted a reluctant acceptance of this compromise position offered by Gleeson through the planning process.”