THOUSANDS of outraged St Annes townsfolk have signed a petition in an attempt to reverse plans to demolish the Ashton Institute and sell off part of Ashton Gardens.

Eileen Harvey of Sandhurst Avenue, St Annes, along with other determined members of the Supporters of Ashton Gardens (SAG) group, patrolled St Annes Square this week and managed to collect more than 3,000 signatures against the plans which are to be handed over to Fylde Borough Council before the final full council planning meeting this Monday.

Newfield Jones Homes of St Annes have already had their planning application passed to demolish the old pavilion and build 60 flats on four floors. But angry members of SAG are still fighting the plans and hoping for a reversal of this decision.

Managing director of Newfield Jones Homes, John Hayfield, said of the protest: "They are a vociferous minority and we are all getting very tired of their campaigning. They are out in the square telling lies to people to get signatures and support."

Head of planning Paul Drinnan confirmed that the sale had taken place and the proposed plans have been passed. He added: "Newfield Homes Jones has been granted planning permission to demolish the Ashton Institute and to some extent it will be a loss to the gardens, but it was felt that the benefits of such a residential scheme is more important to the future of the town."

However, Mrs Harvey has a copy of the Deed of Covenant made around 1914 between the council and Lord Ashton through which the council received the money from Lord Ashton to buy the land and agreed to several obligations.

The council agreed to use the area for public gardens, public pleasure grounds, recreation grounds or places of public entertainment, amusement or recreation and "for no other purpose".

The council also agreed it would leave "open and unbuilt all the parts of the area that formed part of, or were to form part of, any road or footpath that was used for public roads or footpaths and forever maintain and keep them in repair."

Mrs Harvey said: "Selling part of the gardens for building flats will change part of the gardens forever into a use that was never envisaged by Lord Ashton who presented them to the people. So, the plan by Newfield Jones Homes is clearly against the spirit of both the main points that the council of the day agreed when it accepted the gift on behalf of the people."