RESIDENTS in the Cranberry Lane area of Darwen have set up an action group to fight plans for a large housing development behind their houses.

People living near Kirkhams Farm and its surrounding fields are against an application for outline planning permission submitted by the farm's owner, Keith Slack. But Mr Slack, who has applied to demolish the old farm and build 68 houses on the site, says the land will be built on at some point and his proposed development would be of a similar standard to houses in nearby Martin Drive.

Residents believe it would destroy wildlife and a heritage site, would lead to increased traffic along the Martin Drive cul-de-sac, which has been proposed as the access road, and would not be in character with the surrounding area.

Ray Whittaker, secretary of the residents' committee, has set up a website. He said: "We will have a row of garages behind us which will spoil the view but according to planning laws a view isn't important.

"Residents are concerned because they think it will affect the Jack Keys Clough heritage site and the River Darwen and they are worried that once these two fields are built on, there's nothing to stop the owner of the next field building on there too. We are concerned about the wildlife and at the moment our children play in the cul-de-sac where it is safe but if Martin Drive becomes the access point it could have an extra 100 cars a day coming through."

Neighbour Chris Kavanagh, also of Martin Drive, said: "When we moved in about seven years ago we paid an extra £10,000 for the view out of the back window and now we are being told it's going to disappear."

But Mr Slack, who currently lives at Kirkhams Farm, said: "People have to remember that this is only an outline application so these things are only proposals and if permission is given then planning officers will then be able to say what they think should be done and shouldn't.

"The area proposed for development is not Green Belt land. It is land that has been reserved for building. Martin Drive was the first part of the land which we built on in 1994 and this is the second part.

"Martin Drive is just a suggested way for traffic at the moment, there could be alternatives. Even though a lot of people have voiced their concerns we have also had quite a number of people contact us to ask when the site will be up and running and can they reserve a plot.

"I am more than willing to talk to any residents to ease their fears."