IF AN AREA of countryside is officially designated as a no-go zone for developers, then, surely, that's how it should remain.

Yet despite the stretch of land between Pike Hill and Worsthorne in Burnley being formally classed in the council's Local Plan as rural land which cannot be built on, others view it differently -- as a spot ripe for buildings.

The Local Plan is supposed to govern development in borough over the next ten years, but several firms have lodged objections to the block on building on the land near Worsthorne and residents fear this could lead to the designation being overturned.

Now, a massive fight is on to keep the builders out -- with up to 1,000 people expected to sign a parish council-backed petition for Worsthorne and Hurstwood to remain rural and hundreds are due to attend a special meeting this week with council planners.

And though, no doubt, there may be some 'not-in-my-back-yard' sentiments among the residents, their campaign deserves support and success -- for one good reason that stress.

That is, many parts of Burnley are in need of regeneration. And instead of greenfield sites, which are supposed to be officially protected, being targeted to add to existing urban sprawl, new development should focus on brownfield sites in order to spur the renewal process.

Let's keep the countryside, preserve its villages and renew our towns -- that's the sort of sensible development East Lancashire needs.