RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to fight plans for the expansion of Boundary Mill in Colne.

Bosses at the mill, at the end of the M65, submitted plans for a new garden centre, cafe and farm shop, in December last year.

The retail giant, headed by Richard Bannister, wants to use several fields on the opposite side of the junction 14 roundabout from its current store for the development, which will also include a 452-space car park.

But residents living in Greenfield Road, next to the planned development, said it would cause major problems in the area.

John Rivett, 40, who has lived in Greenfield Road for eight years, said: “This is a beautiful area. We have some lovely green land behind the houses but all that could be ruined by this development.

“One of the big concerns was the use of a field behind the houses and know we have found out that it could be used for a huge car park. That was a real kick in the teeth.

“The planning officers said those amended plans were because Lancashire County Council said the development would need a bigger car park, but we think the development should be scaled down instead.

“You get deers on the field behind the houses and there are a lot of bats as well, all that wildlife will be put at risk.”

The development is also next to the Greenfield Road Nature Reserve and there are worries a large scale development could affect the site.

A new road lay-out would also be needed for Whitewalls Drive, close to the motorway roundabout.

This week residents met with local councillors to present their case against the development, which could create up to 300 jobs, going ahead.

Another concern for residents is extra traffic potentially using Greenfield Road, which is a no through road to motor traffic and a designated cycle route popular with walkers visiting near-by Barrowford Locks.

Mr Rivett said: “This is only a small road and it can’t take a big increase in traffic.

“There is a row of small cottages where the front doors open straight on to the road, which is going to be very dangerous if this development goes ahead.”

Councillors will make a decision on the redevelopment in the next few weeks. So far dozens of residents have already raised objections to the scheme with Pendle Council.