THE partial destruction of a Pendle beauty spot to make way for a driveway has been clamped down on by planning inspectors.

Many residents were shocked when earth moving machinery was used to dig through a bank at the historic tram tracks in Trawden in order to begin work on a new drive for a house.

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Villagers contacted their local councillors. “It was the first we heard of it.”said county councillor Paul White. “Villagers were furious. The tram tracks are much-loved in the village.

“A great big gap in the bank had been gouged out and a stretch of wild hedge and small trees had disappeared overnight.”

The tram tracks, which run from Church Street to Lane House, along the back of White Lea Avenue, are what remain of the Colne and Trawden Light Railway, which operated between 1903 and 1934.

The quiet area is mainly enjoyed by walkers.

Councillor Margaret Foxley, said: “Residents were concerned by the degrading and erosion of the tram tracks and by flooding caused by run-off since the removal of the bank.”

Villagers attended two meetings at Colne Town Hall when the applicants who made the alterations applied for retrospective planning permission.

It was discovered that Pendle Borough Council owned the bank that had been levelled which planning permission had been applied for so the new drive could cross. But the application went to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

Councillor Sarah Cockburn-Price, said: “I am delighted that the inspector dismissed this appeal.”