WORRIED residents will march on Blackburn town hall on Saturday to protest at plans to build 600 new houses on land at Bank Hey Farm.

They want to ensure planners take into account their objections to the scheme by Persimmon Homes Lancashire on 121 acres of mainly grazing land between Heys Lane and Bog Height Road.

The proposed estate of two, three, four and five bedroom houses would include affordable homes, a village green and five 'character' areas if approved.

The protest organised by South Blackburn and Lower Darwen residents is supported by local Conservative councillors Denise Gee and John Slater

The marchers will meet outside the Redeemer Church of England Primary School on Jack Walker Way at 10.45am, walk down to Bolton Road and into Blackburn town centre.

They propose arrive outside the town hall for noon where they will protest for a short time.

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen wards' Cllr Gee said: "This march is to protest against the 600 houses that are being considered for being built on Bank Hey Farm which is at the top of Bog Height Road between Brokenstone Road and Heys Lane.

"The residents and their councillors are marching to the town hall to show the strength of feeling against the proposed development.

"This march was unanimously voted for at a public meeting highlighting the overwhelming feeling that residents' voices are not being heard and their valid concerns are being ignored.

"Many objections have been raised.

"They include that the current houses built in Blackburn are not selling as the prices are too high to local wages and there is a lack of educational resources with children already travelling out of area to access schools.

"We currently have one of highest GP to patient ratios in the North-West.

"The plan is to close Bog Height Road to through traffic and this traffic will be directed through the Oakdale Estate.

"Traffic during rush hour coming and going on and off the estate is not sustainable at present, but to add potentially 1,200 more cars to the mix would create more chaos.

"The roads locally cannot support the extra vehicles.

"There would be serious effects to air pollution and a loss of green land and wildlife."

Blackburn with Darwen growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "Residents can raise their concerns and objection with the planning department.

"They will be fully considered as part of the planning process."