LANCASTER residents are bracing themselves for a year long clean up of the Luneside East site which will see hundreds of lorries passing through the city's streets.

The ambitious plans for an "urban village" at Luneside East includes 300 houses, a hotel and offices. European grants worth millions have been given towards the clean up operation of the contaminated industrial site.

But residents are concerned at the total lack of public consultation and are worried about the transportation of the potentially 'toxic rubble' which will have to pass along either St George's Quay or Meeting House Lane.

One resident Geoff Woodhead of St Georges Quay, said: "We're talking about a site of heavy industry which is very badly contaminated and the only way you can get to it is either along the Quay or the dangerous Waterstone's corner.

"These roads aren't capable of handling hundreds of lorries. They call it an urban village but it looks just like a housing estate to me.

"The traffic is bad already, what's it going to be like with 300 residents and hotel customers trying to get in and out of the city?"

He added: "All we've had is a typical planning letter giving us 28 days to lodge an objection.

"Surely there should have been public consultation throughout the whole process?"

Castle ward councillor Jon Barry said: "Residents are naturally concerned about dust being blown onto their properties, the increase in traffic, the noise and disruption.

"The site includes an old gas works and an old battery breakers yard so the contamination is really bad and will cost a lot to clean up.

"The development is good in the sense that it is a brownfield site but there should have been much more public consultation. As ward councillor even I've not been allowed on the committee - I don't know why?"

A council spokesman said there has been and would continue to be consulatation on this matter and that they were trying to organise a public meeting sometime in Januaryand pointed out that even after this there would be further opportunities for the public to air any concerns they might have.