BOROUGH planning chairman Dave Smith has accused Darwen MP Jake Berry of ‘misleading’ residents over the alleged protected countryside status of a key housing site.

In November, the Sunnyhurst Labour councillor wrote to the Tory backbencher about a leaflet claiming the Cranberry Lane and Bailey’s Field plot was greenbelt.

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Bloor Homes have submitted a scheme for 110 executive properties on the land, much to the anger of local residents.

Mr Berry has not replied but is unrepentant about his opposition to building on the site.

Liberal Democrat planning spokesman Paul Browne, whose Sudell ward includes part of the land, backed Cllr Smith’s criticism.

Mr Smith’s letter told Mr Berry: “I recently received your ‘Reporting Back’ leaflet.

“Under the section headed Cranberry Lane and Bailey’s Field I would be grateful if you could clarify which ‘greenbelt’ land you are referring to in Darwen where ‘Blackburn Council’ has plans ‘for hundreds of houses on our greenbelt’.

“Obviously, You would not wish for your constituents to be misled, into thinking the land you refer to at Cranberry Lane and Bailey’s Field is within the greenbelt.”

Cllr Smith said: “I am disappointed Mr Berry chose not to reply.

“This site has never been greenbelt and has been earmarked for housing for donkey’s years.

“There are issues the planning committee will have to decide but greenbelt protection is not one of them.

“If we build all the luxury homes in Blackburn, he would complain about Darwen losing out.”

Mr Berry said: “Cllr Smith can quibble as much as he likes over whether it’s called ‘greenbelt’ , ‘green fields’ or ‘green spaces’ but what it boils down to is that Labour-controlled Blackburn Council want to send in the bulldozers and build hundreds of houses on the countryside and open spaces surrounding Darwen.

“As long as I am the town’s MP, I will continue to oppose these plans.”

Cllr Browne said: “Coun Smith is correct. Mr Berry is misleading people.

“There are genuine planning matters that need to be decided on before any development but ‘green belt’ land is not an issue.”