Residents trying to protect a wildlife haven close to their homes were left outraged when JCBs began destroying pathways, ripping up earth, and devastating the habitats of hundreds of rare species.

Villagers in Huncoat say developers and surveyors entered the former colliery site off Enfield Road last week, and began digging up the soil.

The area has already been earmarked for a major development, which will see up to 1,685 homes built as part of Hyndburn Council's vision for a Huncoat Garden Village.

But the plan sparked objections over its impact on roads and schools, as well as the survival of a butterfly haven which is home to 21 different varieties.

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

David Daly, who lives in the village said: "With no prior notice or explanation devastating activity using heavy machinery has occurred in the past days on our treasured green space.

"The former colliery has been identified as a place where rare species of flora and fauna have been recorded, and prior to lockdown received visitors from around the UK, folk who are passionate about biodiversity."

Mr Daly's daughter, Sarah, said: "The surveyors have destroyed paths, rare bee orchids, nesting habitat for falcons, deer and other animals.

"Local people cannot exercise or use the area now because of the damage - and this is at a time when our local natural areas are all the more needed due to lockdown.

"Many of us have written to our local MP Sara Britcliffe and local councillors, but are still trying to track down County Council for a response."

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

A Facebook group called SAVE Huncoat's Wildlife Habitat was set up by residents in a bid to protect and care for the area that residents say they deeply value.

And a petition by the group received hundred of signatures, but Mr Daly, 73, said many are sceptical about the vision for Huncoat Garden Village, adding that what is imagined to be a 'pleasant place' will in reality become a 'downmarket housing scheme'.

He added: "The developers are building on this Brown Field site, which other developers don't want to build on.

"People think it's going to be a pleasant place, but it will become a downmarket housing scheme.

"As well as the wildlife issues, there's issues with transport and access, as the area already gets congested.

"The surveyors say they were carrying out exploration for the two disused mineshafts on the site as they don't know the exact location - why didn't they just use planning maps?

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

"The JCBs trashed footpaths, which now we can't walk on - at a time when we need outdoor spaces more than ever.

"The government are trying to save our environment and say we should be looking after it more, but then you get contracts to push for more housing and development on our green spaces, it doesn't give you any confidence in their plans at all."

Huncoat Garden Village masterplan timetable approved

The Huncoat Garden Village Masterplan, is due to be ready in December and will see between 1,100 and 1,685 homes built on the former power station site.

At a cabinet meeting last year, Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson said the project was key for the future of Hyndburn: "The council's key priorities are employment - good quality jobs - and good quality housing.

"We will consult further with residents on this as we have to get it right.

"We must ensure there are schools and a proper highways infrastructure of roads to go with it."

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

Residents are angry that land they use for recreation, which houses numerous wildlife species as well as rare flora and fauna was bulldozed without consideration

However, Cllr Loraine Cox said: "Along with Councillor Dave Parkins, I met with the Chair of Huncoat Community Forum at the site yesterday to see the damage for ourselves.

"We were horrified to witness the amount of damage to some of the vegetation and footpath, and therefore share the concerns being expressed.

"This is privately owned land, and it is our understanding that the contractor had the permission of the landowner to go onto the site to carry out some land investigation works and therefore unfortunately there is very little we can do.

"However, the council has expressed its strongest disappointment to the contractor, and we have been reassured that the damage to the land will be made good."