PLANS for 150 new homes at the former Sappi Paper Mill site in Blackburn have been met with opposition.

A petition has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council objecting to detailed plans for 150 homes at the former mill site which were lodged last month.

20 people have signed the petition, raising concerns about the loss of trees, invasion of privacy, and noise pollution.

The application proposes 150 homes as part of phase 1b of the development, which could see as many as 500 homes built on the site in total.

As well as the petition, six individual letters of objection have been received by the council.

The petition states: "There is no justification for the removal of the mature trees along the canalside simply in the interests of creating water fronted properties purely for maximum commercial gain.

"The canalside trees are all protected under a Tree Preservation Order. Their removal is neither necessary nor justified.

"Proposing three storey dwellings featuring first floor balconies that directly overlook and invade the privacy of

Kingsley Close existing properties demonstrates a complete lack of regard for existing residents.

"Noise pollution issues may arise as a result of these balcony fronted properties.

"In any event, proposed properties could readily be accommodated behind the canal side tree line so as not to detrimentally impact on the amenity and privacy of the existing dwellings on Kingsley Close.

"At the very minimum, if some canal fronted dwellings are proposed, these should be two storey in design, and not feature

canal facing balconies opposite Kingsley Close.

"If there is a requirement for three storey developments, these should be accommodated further down the canalside

development where the properties will not be intrusive to existing residential developments."

Borough planning manager, Gavin Prescott, has recommended planning and highways committee members note the petition.

He added the issues raised will inform the assessment of the proposal and the lead petitioner will be informed of the decision once made.