A GREEN watchdog is warning that important countryside could be lost if developers are allowed to build in an East Lancashire village.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England is calling on members of the borough to object to proposals in Blackburn's draft local plan.

The document earmarks a two-hectare site for the development of 55 houses in Long Lane, Tockholes.

Carol Latham, planning officer for the CPRE said: "Anyone who lives the countryside around Blackburn should be greatly concerned by this proposal. "Placing 50 new houses in a village so small and remote as Tockholes makes no sense."

The officer claims that new residents would be almost totally dependent on private cars for transport, and there would be no community facilities available to them.

Miss Latham urged anyone who objected to the proposals to send in their views to Blackburn Council's planning department by March 18.

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