Blackburn with Darwen Council's proposal to sell a small parcel of open land for the long-awaited redevelopment of an 'eyesore' former factory has caused uproar among local residents.

Householders in Scotland Bank Terrace, Ouseburn Road and the surrounding streets in Ewood are up in arms over the plan.

The local authority has started consultation on the sale of the plot to Gleeson Homes, to build family houses on the site of the former Kickers factory at Scotland Bank Mill.

The developer has told town hall officials that without the land, its proposed development would not be financially viable.

Gleeson Homes plan to build 40 affordable two, three and four bed houses and provide replacement 'quality public open space'.

But residents are furious at the prospect of losing the field, which they said they understood was protected from development in 2013 for them to use as informal open recreation land.

The plot has been vacant for more than a decade and several previous schemes to develop it have come to nothing.

Several local residents have contacted the Lancashire Telegraph to object to any sale.

One long-term resident of Ouseburn Road said: "If Gleeson Homes acquire the land, they say we will be left with just one third and they will upgrade it - but in our view, it doesn't need upgrading.

"People only want a field for their children to play on, people to meet and socialise on, and others to walk their dogs on.

"The article in the Lancashire Telegraph was the first time residents were made aware of the sale.

"There is no other open space land fit for us to exercise, to play football, hold community gatherings etc within a safe proximity to our homes.

"Any open space where our children can play safely should be preserved.

"The council says without building on the factory and field it will be left for anti-social behaviour, but I've lived here for 27 years and I don't recall the police ever being called."

Another local householder said: "As one of the original residents that enquired about 'village green' status for the land, I am annoyed the protection can be removed without residents being informed.

"The field is perfect for children to play on, dog walking and families to gather on. It is low maintenance. The council mow it a few times a year."

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “For many years, residents in the Scotland Bank Terrace area have been calling for us to do something with the derelict land which was once home to a mill.

“Sadly, over the past decade that site has become a target for vandals and anti-social behaviour.

“Our officers have worked hard to bring forward options for the land, including using it for new and affordable homes.

“However, despite our best efforts, the schemes just haven’t been financially viable.

“There are now new proposals that could see part of the open space used to make the site bigger and help to finally find a solution for the former mill land.

“The intention is that the remaining open space would be improved. It’s important to stress that it is very early days."