VILLAGERS in Crawshawbooth have launched a massive campaign against the building of new industrial units.

The residents have formed an action group and presented a 93-signature protest petition to Rossendale Council's planning committee chairman Chris Wadsworth.

Half a dozen members of the group set up to oppose the planning application for Turton Hollow handed over the petition to Coun Wadsworth at Rawtenstall Town Hall.

Campaign co-ordinator Christine Buckley told him that numerous letters were also being sent to councillors and to the planning office at Stubbylee Hall, Bacup.

Coun Wadsworth assured them that all views would be taken into consideration when the application went before the committee.

Mrs Buckley said the date of the meeting was not yet known but that they had until August 9 to register objections.

She said: "This is not the end we will continue to collect evidence to support our case against the proposal and to gather more signatures."

The villagers have sent the councillors an open letter highlighting ten reasons why they say the application should be rejected.

They include concerns over noise, loss of visual amenity to 40 properties, excavation hazards from tip waste, loss of trees, loss of parking, anger of land slippage and traffic dangers.

They say the site is close to a school and presents a traffic hazard during term time and school pick-up and drop off. The safety of children who were not only educated but also lived in the area must be considered.

The land was used as a play area, within the confines of a residential area. Local children already climbed onto the primary school roof, a retaining wall with units below presents a hazardous yet tempting playground.

The proposal by F and J Birt is for workshop and storage units.

The residents say they are not necessary as there are already vacant units on the Stoneholme industrial estate.