AN ANGRY row has erupted in a quiet rural village over proposals to build a high density housing estate on a picturesque meadow.

Villagers have stepped up their protests because of fears that Blackburn Borough Council is attempting to push through plans to built 55 houses at the top of Long Lane, Tockholes, between the Rock and Victoria pubs.

More than 100 people have pledged their support to an action group set up to fight the idea outlined in the council's district plan, which details developments devised to take the borough into the 21st century.

The members of the group are:-

Disgusted

Zresidents only found out about the plan because of a tip off from a local councillor.

Zthat Blackburn Borough Council planners have postponed a meeting to meet them twice yet found time to hold a meeting with the parish council on the same night the action group held a public meeting.

Zindividual protest forms were not sent to every household and residents only have one week to return them after a meeting with planners on March 11 in the village hall.

Amazed

Zvillagers are expected to digest the distinct plan at just three evening exhibitions planned for next week.

Zthat the new plan contradicts previous planning policy because for half a century Tockholes has been protected by regular refusal of planning permission.

Worried

ZTockholes will be divided and overwhelmed by the development because it will create a divisive "village within a village" and cause friction between existing residents.

Zthat their historic village will lose its unique character if building in the meadow takes place.

Adamant

Zabout extra facilities not being wanted in the village because Tockholes is famous for its isolation and odd character, and

Suspicious

Zto see signs have gone up in the village informing residents that a new sewer is being planned which would be needed if the estate is given the go ahead.

One of the women heading the action group, Claudine Willis fumed: "We plan to do everything by the book but this secrecy has to end. We have canvassed 101 people in the village and so far everybody is in full support of our campaign.

"Twenty-two volunteers will now visit every house in the village to advise people of the situation and urge them to register their views on the form. Our campaign is also being closely watched by the Council for the Preservation of Rural England." BLACKBURN Council say they have not been approached by the Action Group but have been in touch with Parish Council secretary Graham Marsh. The first they knew of the group's meeting on February 26 was at the meeting of the Parish Council who have helped to arrange the public meeting on March 11.

The borough council say they were not asked to circulate copies of the form to every house and point out that it was intended to record support as well as objections.

They also say that the draft plan has been on display in the village hall since January 23 and that, as the plan shows Tockholes as being "washed over" by the Green Belt, further development "will be restricted." They can't comment on the signs about proposed sewage works or the land value.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.