CAMPAIGNERS made one last ditch attempt to fight plans to transform Burnley’s housing future at a council meeting.

More than 30 residents gathered as Burnley Council’s executive committee recommended the controversial ‘Local Plan’, earmarking 38 greenfield and brownfield sites for development, to be approved.

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The 274-page document released this month identified sites for the creation of 2,483 homes by 2032.

At the meeting residents from across the borough spoke of their fears and concerns with the plan, which included flooding, and too much strain on schools and hospitals.

Resident John Eardley, raised his concerns about the Hollins Cross Farm development, earmarked for 184 houses.

He said there’s going to be too many houses built to sustain the same local amenities.

He said: “There’s nothing about schools and there’s nothing about roads in the plan.

“You cannot get into Royal Blackburn Hospital at the best of times at night and weekends.

“If you come up Manchester Road it is a nightmare.

“People are taking risks every night trying to get home.

“The plan was put together at a great expense, we believe we can spent that money better and develop Burnley from within.”

The plans were described as ‘completely unsustainable’ by community leaders and residents, who claim they place too much pressure on existing services.

Another resident, Peter Hatfield, said flooding was a major concern at the Hollins Cross Farm site.

He said: “Our problem with the plan is tarmacking an area of marshland, it will just send water down the hill.

“Properties down there already suffer from flooding, it is already a problem.

“Some of the houses already have rivers in their back gardens now.”

The former Hameldon School site has been allocated 250 properties, while the former Baxi site in Padiham was earmarked 244.

Cllr Bea Foster, leisure and culture executive for the council, said: “It has been really good to see that people have felt so strongly about the future of our town.

“It is about getting the balance right.

“The plan is about jobs for our young people, for good jobs we need good employment sites to attract people to come to the borough.”The plans will now be sent to Burnley Full Council.