A NEW housing estate could be constructed on a village field said to contain the remains of soldiers who fought in the civil war.

Plans have been revealed for building 50 homes, including 30 bungalows reserved for the over 55s, in Hammond Ground in Read off Whalley Road.

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The proposal is mentioned as part of a ‘screening opinion’ which is the process of determining whether an environmental impact assessment is required as part of a planning application.

A full application could be submitted to Ribble Valley Council in the coming months.

According to local rumours, Doreen Collinson, the chairman of Read Parish Council, said the field could contain a number of mine shafts as well as people who fought in The Battle of Read Old Bridge in 1643.

Cllr Collinson said: “These are village rumours and I have never seen any facts to back them up personally but they have been said for many many years.

“If it all goes ahead Read could well start to become a town.

“We simply do not have the infrastructure to cope with more houses and more families.

“We only have one primary school and we do not have a doctors or very many shops at all.

“It could have a major impact on the village if a planning application is approved.”

The Battle of Read Old Bridge was fought in 1643 between the Royalist and Parliamentarian forces.

The Royalist force of about 4,000 men, commanded by the Earl of Derby, had previously taken Whalley.

The Parliamentary army, numbering only about 400 men, were positioned near Read Old Bridge.

As the Royalist forces approached the bridge they faced musket fire causing them to retreat and give up Whalley.

The screening opinion has been submitted to the council by agent Jane Dickman of Dickman Associates in Bolton, who said the applicant wanted to address the need for housing in the village. A spokesman for the applicant The Trustees of Hammond Ground, was unavailable for comment.