FURIOUS residents have vowed to fight plans to build a £15m retirement village on a council-owned playing field.

Rossendale Council and Calico Homes want to create 65 apartments and a specialist dementia care centre at Barlow Fold, in Rawtenstall.

But neighbours and users of the football pitch said the proposals would mean children being forced to travel 1.5 miles away to Marl Pits for a kickabout.

The land, off Cherry Tree Lane, could also become home to a cafe, hair-dressers, laundry, shop and function room as part of the development.

A campaign group, Save Barlow Fold, has been formed and Bacup-born former Burnley FC foot-baller, Marc Pugh expressed his opposition to the plans on Twitter.

The 26-year-old, now at AFC Bournemouth, said: “Used to play rounders and do pre-season running (at Barlow Fold) and would be gutted if they build on it!”

A spokesman for Save Barlow Fold said: “Whilst the majority of people support the concept behind the scheme, Barlow Fold is simply not the right location for it, nor would it be in keeping with the existing community needs, infrastructure or environ-ment.”

Louise Tanik, of nearby Redwood Drive, said: “As far as the residents are concerned, this is not going ahead.”

Labour councillor Helen Jackson, Rossendale Council’s portfolio holder for housing and environmental health, welcomed the project.

She said: “This develop-ment will provide much- needed retirement housing for local people.”

Ed Barber, of Calico, said Rossendale people would be given priority placement at any development.

Calico bosses will hold an open evening at Balladen Community Primary School, in Linden Lea, from 5.15pm to 7.30pm on Thursday evening to ask residents for feedback.