WORRIED residents have been reassured work to clear vegetation near a suburban open space is not the start of a new road for a controversial housing development.

In April last year householders on Old Gates Drive in Blackburn were furious the council planned to sell the former all-weather pitch for St Bede’s RC High School in Cherry Tree to McDermott Homes for use as access for their proposed estate of 29 houses at nearby Lomond Gardens - a decision later put on hold.

Last week council staff started clearing vegetation on the land for culvert improvements, alarming residents it was the beginning of work on the road.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council has told them in a letter: "Upgrading this drainage network is essential works to help alleviate flooding. We had to access the culvert and manhole at the back of Old Gates Drive which are only accessible from this open land. As a part of construction if possible we will access the site from Green Lane. It will be landscaped back to current standard."

Livesey with Pleasington ward's Cllr Derek Hardman: "This is good news."