A BATTLE over plans to build 59 homes in a village was staged at a public inquiry.

Property giant Barratt Homes wants to build the mixture of two and three-storey houses and apartments on the former Peel Fold Mill site in Stanhill Village, known locally as the pickle factory.

Company bosses say that the development will "bring many benefits" to the area, but villagers have fiercely objected to the plans from the outset, on grounds that the development is too big and not in keeping with the village's character.

Hyndburn Council initially refused the plans on similar grounds, but then decided to withdraw its opposition.

Barratt re-submitted the plans, but the council's planning committee members rejected the application again on January 30.

The inquiry at Accrington Town Hall yesterday was held in response to Barratt's appeal against a failure to determine the application.

Gary Dean, Barratt's regional planning director, outlined the perceived benefits of the plans to independent planning inspector Susan Holland, and the public gallery.

As well as reclaiming a derelict site, he countered residents' claims by saying the scheme would integrate well with the surrounding area, and solar panelling planned for a number of the properties would contribute to renewable energy.

Mr Dean said: "The site is eminently suitable for housing, as a redundant employment site and a highly sustainable location.

"There is no uniform character to the surrounding area, and the proposals repre-sent a distinct improvement to the existing character, and the street scene."

He also said that the draft strategy for housing require-ment in Hyndburn predicted a deficit over the next five years, which the development would help fill.

After hearing the developers' case, Ms Holland heard from residents.

Richard Hooper, of Stanhill Road, spoke on behalf of the Stanhill Village Committee.

He set out the villagers' continuing concerns that the development was too big for the village.

Ms Holland will prepare her decision in the next few days.