COUNCILLORS will this afternoon decide on controversial plans to build 250 homes on open green space in Great Harwood.

Objectors are expected to pack Accrington Town Hall’s Council Chamber for the planning committee when it considers the proposals for the new estate and sports facility on Lyndon playing fields.

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They will urge councillors to reject or defer the decision on the scheme which sparked the creation of a special protest group opposing the application.

Reilly Developments Ltd wants to build up to 250 family homes (including detached, semi-detached and bungalows) on the 17-acre site on Harwood Lane.

The scheme would also create four new sports pitches and associated changing and parking facilities on a second 12-acre site 100 metres away.

An existing children’s play area will also be improved as part of the development.

The development has been recommended for approval by Hyndburn council planning officers.

More than 1,100 people have submitted objection letters or signed petitions objecting to the proposed development.

The meeting has been moved to Accrington Town Hall from its normal venue in the borough offices at Scaitcliffe House to accommodate the protesters.

Great Harwood Rovers FC currently use the playing fields and would move to the proposed new FA-standard football pitches and changing facilities.

If the plan is agreed, the developers will have to purchase the land from Hyndburn council.

Pauline Embley, chair of the Lyndon Playing Fields Association, said: “We are opposed because this is the last area of green space in Netherton ward in Great Harwood.

“There is lots of brownfield land across Hyndburn where they could build the houses the borough needs.

“There are a whole host of unresolved issues to do with smells from the neighbouring abattoir, flood risks and the possibility of mining subsidence.

“The application should at the very least be deferred until these are sorted out.”

Katie Delaney, of PWA Planning, which submitted the plans on behalf of Reilly Developments, said: “This development marks a significant investment for Great Harwood and the wider borough, giving Hyndburn a boost in terms of the number of larger family homes.”