CLITHEROE residents have formed a new action group to contest the up-coming Waddow View appeal after the borough council’s decision to withdraw opposition earlier this month.

The application is for 345 homes in the town and a 50-place nursery.

A consortium of land-owners, including Clitheroe Auction Mart, the Huntroyde Estate and John Taylor, appealed after the plans were rejected on February 14 by the council’s planning committee.

And borough council plans to fight the appeal were ditched after they sought legal advice.

The Back Commons Residents’ Group, made up of people from the eight houses closest to the proposed development, will present its evidence at the appeal on Tuesday.

Member Rowland Hailwood said: “Members will speak on topics including highways and the economic and environmental impact of the development.

“If it’s approved by the planning inspector, it will ruin the town and we will fight it with all we have.

“It will change the character of the area and it will ruin the lives of the residents of Clitheroe.

“We think we have a good case and we all hope that the inspector agrees with us.”

Coun Kevin Horkin, who represents St Mary’s ward where the homes could be built, said: “I attended a meeting of the group on Monday night and I was impressed with how organised they are.”

The appeal is expected to last until Friday.