RESIDENTS vowed to stop any developers planning to build in three villages in Rossendale.

A heated debate took place at the Old Fire Station as the future of Loveclough, Crawshawbooth and Goodshaw was discussed.

Rossendale Council presented a core strategy for the three villages to 50 residents who rejected all the options for development during the next few years.

David Hempsall, of Loveclough, questioned the council’s efforts to notify the locals about the consultation.

He said: “We found out about this meeting tonight by chance.

“The meeting itself and the presentation have been fine, but the truth is what the council has provided us with is not a vision.

“It is a mish mash of points printed on paper.”

Housing, retail and wind and hydro energy sites were at the top of the agenda for future development in the area.

Bosses at the council, however, stressed nothing was set in stone and the purpose of the meeting was to draw up a policy written by the residents to safeguard the future of the villages.

Council planning officer Adrian Smith said: “The fact is we have to build 225 houses every year somewhere in Rossendale to abide by government policy.

“Attractive places are always attractive to developers, so we have to discuss places like Loveclough, Crawshawbooth and Goodshaw.

“This is a pre-consultation stage, so it is purely discussion at present, but we need to find out what the residents want in their area in terms of development, not just what they do not want.”

Another forum meeting focusing solely on the core strategy will take place at Crawshawbooth Library tomorrow at 5.30pm.