HUNDREDS of Radcliffe residents will be seeking compensation for their "blighted" homes.

If the Radcliffe residents battle is successful they could be awarded thousands of pounds to make up for the suffering they claim has been caused, and will in future be caused, by the East Lancashire Paper Mill.

Residents' committee spokesman Mr Derek Sandford said: "In view of the impact upon the environment during recent years by the various proposals by ELPM, and by the detrimental effects of tipping operations, the residents have suffered loss of value to their properties.

"Now we have ELPM's latest planning proposals, plus the proposal by Anthony Construction to reopen Tower Farm landfill site.

"These proposals will cause further deterioration in this area, housing values will plummet, and quality of life in this community will be devalued."

Mr Sandford, of Bury Street, has written to Bury Council requesting blight notices for more than 200 householders. He has also asked Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for an inquiry.

"There should be a public inquiry into these matters since the consequence of the proposals are so severe and will be disastrous for many hundreds of people," he said.

The proposals submitted by the ELPM form part of its £10 million expansion plans. They include a new entrance, a new paper machine house and the closure of three ancient rights of way.

Residents claim there will be visual, noise and environmental pollution, danger to schoolchildren due to an increase in HGV traffic, loss of car parking and damage to wildlife.

The application is due to be decided by the council's planning control sub-committee next month.

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