THE building of more than 100 houses near to a main road would lead to problems with traffic and flooding, residents claim.

Property developer Taylor Wimpey has lodged plans for 131 homes on land off Holcombe Road, near Haslingden.

An artist’s impression shows an area of green space and playing facilities.

But residents living nearby have raised concerns about the impact the proposed development would have for traffic on what they said is an already congested route.

The development would also be close to Grane Road which is a major and busy route for motorists to get from East Lancashire to Manchester.

Cllr Tony Haworth, who represents the area on Rossendale Council, said: “The problem is whether we have the infrastructure such as schools, doctors and dentists for this development.

“I would also say that the proposed roundabout on Holcombe Road needs to be taken away and moved to the junction of Grane Road and Holcombe Road where traffic is already busy - and have an access junction coming off the new site instead.”

Grane Residents’ Association added it has ‘serious concerns’ about flooding from the development, impact on wildlife and further pressure to an ‘extremely busy’ Grane Road from traffic.

But a spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said the plans include improvements to the local road infrastructure. The development would house a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

He said: “Our scheme is on land which is proposed to be allocated for new homes by Rossendale Council in the local plan and is partially brownfield land which would involve the remediation of a former gasworks.

“As part of the application we have carried out extensive investigations which included highways, ground, flood risk, archaeology and ecology to ensure any impacts can be mitigated.

“We have also consulted with Rossendale Council and the community throughout the planning process. As a result of these consultations we have proposed improvements to the local road infrastructure, which include a new roundabout on Holcombe Road. We are committed to addressing the housing shortage in Lancashire in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to existing communities in the county and we feel this development will help achieve that objective.”