COUNCILLORS are joining forces in the battle to save one of the last remaining areas of open green space in Blackpool.

As reported in The Citizen (September 4), Asda Stores Ltd were refused permission to build 13 two-storey offices on land at Warren Drive, Norbreck, by council planning officials on Monday, September 1.

But developers working for the supermarket giant have vowed to appeal against the unanimous decision after accusing the council of failing to follow Government guidelines in considering the application.

Now senior council officers are backing a bid to give the Warren Drive site officially designated Town Green Status, meaning that the land would be earmarked for public use, prohibiting any future developments.

Norbreck ward representative, Cllr Peter Callow said: "This is the last remaining patch of unused land in the area and should be preserved as such.

"But, more importantly, this part of the Fylde often suffers from severe flooding.

"Building on this site will do nothing to help contain this problem and will probably make the situation ten times worse. We are still willing to come to some sort of alternative arrangements for the provision of Asda office accommodation.

"Possibly along the lines of our previous suggestion which was to offer space in council-owned accommodation.

"If Asda feel this is still unacceptable then we have no choice but to go for town green status which would ensure that the Warren Drive land remains open space.

"This will be a long, drawn-out process which has been attempted on other sites in the area, such as Lathe Farm and East Park Drive, without much success.

"But this time the entire council are united in trying to put a stop to this development and we owe it to the people of Norbreck ward and its surrounding areas to try and preserve this important piece of land."

A council spokesman said: "At present we are looking at ways in which we can ensure the preservation of the Warren Drive site which is a common objective under the draft local plan."