COUNCILLORS yesterday gave planning permission for a controversial proposal to build 250 homes on a set of playing fields that could swell the borough’s coffers by £2million.

After the decision, protesters vowed to continue the fight to stop the scheme they claim was “a done deal” from start to finish.

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Objectors packed Accrington Town Hall’s Council Chamber as Hyndburn planning committee approved the the new estate and sports facility around Great Harwood’s Lyndon playing fields.

Reilly Developments Ltd can now proceed with its scheme to build up to 250 family homes, including detached, semi-detached and bungalows, on the 17-acre site on Harwood Lane.

The firm will also create four new sports pitches and changing rooms on a nearby 12-acre site for Great Harwood Rovers.

A complex land purchase and swap deal, involving the council and the applicant Reilly Developments Ltd, will allow Great Harwood Show to take a permanent lease on its new venue at the junction Harwood Lane and Whalley Road.

After the committee voted in favour of the proposals by eight Labour councillors to four opposition representatives, borough leader Miles Parkinson hailed its as a “win, win, win” decision.

He said: “The town of Great Harwood gets high-quality new housing benefitting its economy, the football club gets new playing pitches, the Great Harwood show secures its future after 148 years and the borough council gets a captial receipt estimated at up to £2 million.

“I have promised that money will be spent on improving the economy and area of Great Harwood.”

The councillors approved the scheme despite impassioned pleas from protestors led by Pauline Embley, chair of the Lyndon Playing Fields Association.

She said: “This proposal has been a done deal from the start.”

Another of the five speakers opposed to the scheme, Patrick McGinley, 63, said: “Stop now before you destroy this market town.”

Afterwards Mrs Embley said: “We’ve lost the battle but the war goes on.

“We will now consider going to the local government ombudsman.”

Cllr Parkinson said he was confident after a year of consultation there were no grounds to overturn the decision made.