OPPOSITION councillors have demanded a review of Rossendale's housing policy claiming it "restricts" new buildings to Bacup and Rawtenstall.

The overview and scrutiny committee has been asked to look at the policy again after con-cerns were raised by the opposition Labour group.

The move comes after councillors agreed to adopt a new policy at the latest Executive meeting that will see permission refused on housing supply grounds unless the proposal will contribute positively to the regeneration of Bacup, Stacksteads and Britannia or the Rawtenstall town centre 'masterplan' areas.

For months, Rossendale Council has turned down planning applications for housing developments on the grounds that the Valley has enough outstanding building schemes to meet its needs for the next few years.

But the Labour Party "called-in" the decision because they were worried about the lack of public consultation and say the plans restrict regeneration to specific areas, excluding large areas of the borough.

They also raised concerns about members being unable to judge whether the proposal fulfils the requirements of the recently completed Housing Needs Survey.

A joint statement to the overview and scrutiny committee signed by Labour group leader David Hancock and councillors Amanda Roberston and Christine Lamb called for the whole issue to be reconsidered.

But at the last Executive meeting deputy council leader Bill Challino, said: "I would like to see this go through to give us some guidance."

The public are invited to speak on the issue at the meeting being held at the Kingfisher Business Centre, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, on Wed-nesday starting at 5pm.