SENIOR councillors will confirm on Thursday the temporary halting of the sale of a former school all-weather pitch to a developer.

Local residents were furious when in April Blackburn with Darwen Council authorised the disposal of a rare piece of open space in Blackburn for new homes.

Householders on Old Gates Drive vowed to oppose the land sale, part of a proposal for 29 new homes at Lomond Gardens in the Green Lane area.

The plot, used as an all-weather pitch for St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School until 1997, was sold subject to final confirmation in March to McDermott Homes as part of development land for up to 35 homes.

But after 58 residents objected to the scheme, the council temporarily stopped the sale of the land, which was to be used to build an access road.

Now, following the receipt of a 239 signature petition, the local authority's executive board will formally confirm the halting of the sale.

Officers have recommended to Thursday's meeting that they 'note the petition' and delay any decision non going ahead with the land sale until a new planning application is received giving further details of the proposed housing development and how it will be accessed by vehicles.

Their report adds: "At the time of this Petition Report being prepared, no new planning applications relating to the site have been received by the council."