HISTORIC gate piers are under threat because a housing development has been carried out "piecemeal" claims Rossendale Civic Trust.

A planning application to build two houses behind Rawtenstall Cricket Club is proposing to use access off Bacup Road through the gated entrance way.

Owner of the lodge house Oxana Metiuk says when she bought the house in 1984 she understood she owned the three gate piers and paid to have them cleaned and repaired. One is attached to her house wall and when she applied to list the property the walls and gate piers were described as "clearly important compositions of the conservation area".

But the applicant says they are in council ownership and has applied to demolish one and resite the central structure to allow a larger access.

Chairman of the Civic Trust Kathy Fishwick is backing the campaign to have the gates stay as they are and access to the houses provided by the already developed Greenbank Drive.

Historically the lower lodge marked the entrance into Greenbank Park House and grounds and was built in 1856.

A similar upper lodge remains on Newchurch Road but its gateposts have already been removed.

Kathy said: "Due to the lack of overall vision those two new houses are said not to be accessible from the top.

"The council has known for years that the whole of the site would be developed. Why not have just one access?

"We are worried that things are being looked at piecemeal. Ideas long since looked into and disregarded, like using these gates as access, are now being pursued.

"Although Oxana can't find deeds for the piers, the council has also not shown her anything in writing as proof that they own them."

Oxana said: "I would really like not to be at odds with the borough council. I would like them and other Rossendalians to understand the necessity of retaining as much of our culture as we can in a society that is changing so rapidly that soon there will be little memory of our history.

"In the midst of this changing world we should surely value our past and seek to maintain important parts of it.

"I believe the people of Rossendale are proud of their heritage and I would like to do all I can to preserve it."

She applied to English Heritage to have the house listed and although turned down, the letter stated: "The lodge walls and gate posts are clearly an important composition of the conservation area, contributing to its special character and appearance."

The applicant Andrew Walsh from Bury Road, Rawtenstall, said the posts belonged to the council and refused to comment further. No-one from Rossendale Council planning department was available for comment.