RESIDENTS and allotment holders have joined forces to save their threatened "oasis".

More than 100 people packed a public meeting at Baxenden Conservative Club to protest over the possibility of houses being built on allotment land at Hill Street, Baxenden.

Around half the Ley allotments site has been designated as an "area of special restraint" in the Hyndburn Borough Local Plan.

This means the land could be developed after 2006 if there is a need for new housing.

John Griffiths, a spokesman for the Save Our Allotments group, said: "The council have a fight on their hands."

Protesters say the community knew nothing about the proposal until a few weeks ago and fear up to 88 houses could be built on the site.

They are angry that no one in the immediate area was given specific notification. Mr Griffiths said the allotments are more like smallholdings with animals.

"It is an oasis in the middle of all the housing," said Mr Griffiths.

Residents are also worried about traffic problems and shortage of school places if new houses are built.

Ward councillor Jim Dickinson, who rents one of the allotments, is backing residents.

He said : "As far as the people of Baxenden are concerned this is holy ground, not only for allotment holders but for the children who go to feed the animals.

Principal planning officer Paul Worswick said it would have been impractical to notify everyone directly affected.

The council will be adopting the Plan on November 1 and residents were too late to get the allocation changed, said Mr Worswick.

"Having said that, once the Plan's life is finished in 2006 we will need to publish another plan.

"Work on that new plan will start early into the next century. There will be public consultation again and an opportunity for people to make their concerns known," he added.

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