TONIGHT (Thursday, March 21) is the last chance Clayton-le-Moors residents will have to make objections about a 400-house development at Sefton Farm.

And although Hyndburn's head of planning Phil Barwood says the development will definitely go ahead, local councillor Cath Thom claims there's still time to stop it.

The site is designated for housing on the new Borough Plan and a model of the Sefton Farm development was exhibited at Clayton Civic Hall.

Tonight's meeting will gauge the public's reaction to it.

Mr Barwood said: "This model was approved by development services and the meeting tonight is the public's chance to offer suggestions about it - not to object to it. That is already decided.

"If proposals are put forward then the plans will go back to development services to be revised."

He added: "This site was already earmarked on the old Clayton District Plan for potential housing land, this is not out of the blue."

But Coun Thom said: "In my opinion things can still be done to halt the development.

"There are many concerns over the capacity of nearby primary schools and the impact on local roads."

Councillor Bill Goldsmith, Hyndburn's development services committee vice chairman, said: "Builder Barratts Manchester has been given first refusal on the development. The council would not be able to stop them because they could face litigation."

He added: "I understand the problems with schools but the county council is not about to commit itself to building a new one until there are the children to fill it.

"The only chance of stopping the development would be for the residents to put forward new evidence in Thursday's meeting."

The meeting will be held in Clayton Civic Hall, in Pickup Street, Clayton-le-Moors, at 6pm to 9pm.

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