COUNCIL environment director Ray Jefferson could be asked to rule on plans for a controversial development in Lostock.

Some 175 letters objecting to the nine-home scheme in Regent Road, claiming the scheme will contribute to the over-development of the area and an increase in traffic density, have been received by the council.

The BEN has reported how Lostock residents have launched a website -- www.lostockresidents.co.uk -- to battle what they see as the gradual erosion of the character of their attractive suburb.

But council planners insist the scheme, within 500 metres of Lostock train station and 700 metres of Chorley New Road, links well with public transport and is an appropriate use of land.

Planners are recommending that councillors hand over authority to rule on the scheme to the environment director when they meet tomorrow. Developers Antler Property Northern have agreed to stump up £15,000 towards the cost of traffic calming measures on the proposed road.

Although existing sewers could not cope with the extra housing, council planners believe this could be solved by a planning condition demanding that this problem be addressed.