ANGRY Lytham residents concerned about plans for a new car park are demanding reassurances from Fylde Borough Council.

Fylde Borough's planning committee recently gave the go-ahead to insurance giants Aegon for a 130-space car park off Park View Road.

The company will shortly be taking on around 750 new staff and are planning an extension to their main complex plus a new building.

And Aegon are now having talks with land owners Fylde Borough Council to establish the way forward.

Council officials are keen to dispel the concerns of some residents in the area who fear that open views over playing fields may be replaced with an ugly eyesore.

"We do not want the aspects of green open land substituted with tarmac," said Robin Whitfield and Sally Roberts of the Brookfield Terrace Residents' Association.

"The people of Lytham use the land for recreational activities, such as playing football and walking dogs. We do not want the increase in traffic, noise and pollution."

Area planning officer David Forshaw insists that the development will be in keeping with the area.

He said: "A landscaped, tree-lined country park theme is envisaged for the new car parking area. There'll be no great expanse of black tarmac. The prospective design incorporates gravel-based car parking spaces and either red or beige tarmac drive-in areas.

"The four football pitches will remain, plus plenty of dog walking space. Inevitably, there'll be an anticipated increase in traffic but the weight of this will generally be during the normal working day." Deputy director of tourism and leisure Simon Kularatne added that one football pitch would have to be relocated and alternative spots identified for the BMX track and fairground site.

"Additionally, we are asking consultants to submit recommendations regarding drainage of the land plus proposed ongoing measures for future drainage management," he said.

Access to the car park, which will run parallel to the Axa building, will be directly opposite a new roundabout to be situated at the junction of Mythop Road and Park View Road.

It is hoped that parking congestion in the nearby area will be relieved. The public will be free to use the car park in the evenings and at weekends.