ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have criticised the blueprint for a 1,500-home housing development despite council bosses claiming it was sustainable and eco-friendly.

Hyndburn Council’s Cabinet approved the Huncoat Garden Village Masterplan on Wednesday emphasising its ‘green’ credentials.

However environmental activists Kerry Gormley and Chris Atherton warned the scheme would destroy valuable wildlife habitats.

The £100m plus project - built around the existing village and the former colliery and power station sites - pledges to protect bio-diversity and a butterfly haven.

It includes a new village centre, a road link to the A56, the expansion of the junior school and improvements to the railway station.

It includes 60 acres of safeguarded land for a Biological Heritage Site including the colliery, a haven for 21 butterfly varieties.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: “This is an ambitious project to create a garden village in Huncoat which offers a range of new homes to help meet future housing needs.

“I am delighted the masterplan also supports our climate emergency declaration. Huncoat Garden Village will expect the highest standards of sustainable design and construction, essential to meet future requirements for decarbonisation.”

Cllr Loraine Cox, the council’s regeneration boss, said: “Huncoat Garden Village will be nationally significant. With the need to respond to the challenges of climate change, the masterplan sets clear expectations that everything possible must be done to protect the environment.

“It sets the highest possible standards in protecting Huncoat’s rich natural environment including the conservation and enhancement of existing habitats.”

Huncoat resident Ms Gormley said: “The latest step in this so-called garden village plan is cause for great concern for those with a love of local wildlife. People who use the old pit know there are many species currently thriving there.

“The threat to this land, once devastated by industry and now reclaimed by nature, is one I will fight for.”

Mr Atherton, from Hyndburn Butterfly Project said: “Whilst the masterplan states some areas at the former colliery and power station sites are being retained for biodiversity, there are still large areas of wildlife habitat that will be destroyed.

“In the current biodiversity and climate crisis, destroying a wildlife rich site home to thousands of trees seems inappropriate.”

Cllr Marlene Haworth, leader of the opposition Conservative group, expressed concern the council might not get the multi-million pound government grant needed for the new road.

Her deputy Cllr Peter Britcliffe urged Cllr Parkinson to speak to train operator Northern to ensure Huncoat station had better commuter services direct to Manchester and Preston.