ANGRY residents voiced their concerns at an extraordinary meeting called to discuss plans to sell the Lyndon House Playing Fields in Great Harwood.

Under the proposal, Reilly Developments Ltd would buy 7.6 acres of the playing fields to add to its 10 acres of adjacent land to build between 200 and 250 houses.

They would pay the council a ‘substantial sum’ in addition to giving them land at Heymoor Farm off Whalley Road on the town’s outskirts.

This would enable the borough to transfer Great Harwood Rovers Football Club’s lease from Lyndon House to the new site and allow the club to build new facilities on the site. The Great Harwood Agricultural Show would then swap a meadow adjoining the Balfour Street playing fields for land owned by Reilly’s at Heymoor Farm.

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson told residents at the meeting he understood their concerns, but said the council needed to build new homes or face having its core planning strategy challenged by developers — which could lead to building on the green belt.

Resident Shelley Whitehead broke down into tears as she argued against the plans.

She told councillors: “I’m sat here as a parent. I have a personal interest in this because it’s the only green space my daughter can access without having to cross a major road. Please don’t get rid of that green space.”

Patrick McGinley added: “Im imploring you, nay, begging you not to make any decision today. At least 90 per cent of the town’s population is against the sale of the playing fields. It’s the most popular and safe area.”

As councillors voted to press ahead with plans to sell the land, cabinet chair and council leader Miles Parkinson said: “I assure you, if all the boxes are not ticked, the proposal will not go ahead. I want high quality executive homes on that site.

“This is not the end of the consultation with residents, it’s just me stating my belief that the item does not need to be deferred.”