CONTROVERSIAL plans to build houses on the former Hill Top Care Home site in Baxenden will be decided next week.

Baxenden Developments wants to use the land, at the junction of Newton Drive and Manchester Road, to build eight semi-detached and four detached homes.

But the application has been hit by several objections from residents nearby, who cited concerns about overdevelopment and the effect on the adjacent Haworth Art Gallery in letters to the council.

Peter and Anne Cross, who live in Manchester Road, said a supplementary planning document drawn up at a cost of £20,000 stated 'clearly the maximum number of dwellings should be seven', rather than 12.

And Professor Kieran Gibson from the University of York, also objected and said he was 'convinced' the proposed development would have an adverse effect on the area and the Grade Two-listed Haworth Art Gallery.

In documents lodged with the council, architect Hurd Rolland Partnership, said: "The masterplan has been sensitively developed to create a spacious feel and form positive relationships with neighbouring houses.

"Houses have been carefully arranged to minimise the loss of trees and create balanced street scenes along Manchester Road and Newton Drive."

Councillors are set to decide on the plans on Wednesday afternoon. Officers earlier recommended they give the greenlight subject to several conditions.