CAMPAIGNERS are seeking a judicial review after Rossendale councillors approved a controversial housing development.

Hurstwood Developments has been given the go-ahead by the engineering and planning committee to convert historic former school Lea Bank in Cloughfold into seven luxury houses.

Although four Labour councillors and one Conservative, Coun Bill Challiner, voted to turn down the application, is was finally approved by six votes to five.

Campaign organiser of the Save Lea Bank group Rebecca Lawlor said: "We have case law on our side and have environmental barristers who will be seeking a judicial review."

She said it was wrong that the councillors viewed an environmental impact assessment as only looking at wildlife when it's purpose was also to examine the heritage, water courses and drainage of the site.

At the meeting, Coun David Hancock moved that the application be turned down because "it was an inappropriate development of the building".

He described the planned conversion and extensions as "an architectural gimmick".

But Coun Peter Steen described the plans as an innovation and an imaginative use of the redundant buildings.

He warned that rejection of the development plans could lead to the creation of 'another Ilex Mill.

Ilex, in Rawtenstall, has been derelict for many years and been subject of many failed plans.

A development company is currently considering the listed mill for residential use.

Coun Mollie Disley said: "I feel it is essential to refuse this plan to put this woodland in the hands of the elite.

"There are four schools in the area.

"Wouldn't you like your child to learn about nature among the beautiful daffodils, bluebells and herons, owls, squirrels and foxes?"

There were complaints that an environmental impact assessment had not been carried out.

But engineer and planning officer John Cowpe said all that was necessary for the site was an ecological study and said nine months had been a long time for the planning application to be considered.

Public access to the site is to be maintained and tree preservation orders are to be introduced.