RESIDENTS claiming they have been caged in by a seven foot high fence are demanding council action to make life bearable for their community.

Dozens of people living in Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, say they their views were not taken into consideration before planners allowed fundamental changes in the area.

Horrified residents watched as a new high density housing estate went up next to them - and many were angered by the fact their views were ignored.

Action group spokesman Paul Marsden said: "It is disgusting the way we have been treated. We were ignored when decisions were being made and when we complain about things we predicted would happen, we are told it is too late to do anything."

The main gripes stem from the building of a new residential development in Stopes Brow.

Complaints include:

The lack of space between existing gardens and the new homes which makes rear access to and from long-established homes impossible.

The loss of a large meadow used by local children as a safe play area - and confusion over where children on the new estate will play and be educated.

The loss of a popular allotment area which housed livestock - also gobbled up by the development.

The increasing number of accidents and damage to property on the busy main road, made worse by a new wall which obscures vision round a tight bend.

Norman Jackson, whose garage is now hemmed in by a seven foot wooden fence, said: "It is a ridiculous situation. I can't even get to my windows to clean and maintain them. Why they couldn't have left space for access I'll never know."

Despite a special meeting with council leader, Malcolm Doherty, and a council planner, residents fear no action will be taken.

Mr Marsden said: "We are totally disillusioned with the council. Most people living in the area signed a petition, contacted the local councillors or wrote letters to the council before any building work started. But it didn't do us any good and we didn't receive any explanation why our views were not taken into consideration.

"We all pay our council tax and believe we are entitled to something. At this stage we would be happy to create a play area ourselves if the council will give us some land."

Councillor Malcolm Doherty denied the residents were being ignored. He said: "I am still trying to resolve some of the issues which came up at the meeting. I am looking into the more pressing issues such as the boundary wall and lack of play facilities but these things take time."

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