CRICKET club bosses issued a "let the people decide" challenge on their plans to take over Fulledge Recreation Ground -- as residents bombarded them with criticism.
The club's public meeting on its multi-million pound proposal to build a new ground and pavilion on the town's fairground site became a rout as residents opposed to the plan dominated the presentation and kept cricket bosses on the back foot.
The sizeable minority of club members who were welcomed to the Thompson Centre meeting by placard-waving youngsters urging "Hands off public land" remained largely silent as protesters went on the attack with a clear "go-away" message to the club.
Club officials on the meeting platform looked more like they were in the stocks as opponents of Burnley Football Club's plan to buy the present cricket ground for development and set up the cash-strapped club in a new home at Fulledge, heckled and hurled criticism.
A hands vote of the 120-strong gathering came out clearly against the plan, but that did not deter club vice-chairman John Heys who almost single-handedly defended with a straight bat, told residents the development would improve are area and enhance the value of their homes.
And he called for a newspaper referendum to test true public feeling on the issue, before the council decides whether or not to sell the land for the project.
"This land belongs to all the people of Burnley -- not just local residents -- let the people of Burnley decide," he said.
But that did not stem criticism as councillors and Burnley FC directors heard residents, local councillor Andrew Holder and a representative of the Showmen's Guild -- who run the annual fairground -- oppose the land sale. Protest leader Norman Whittle told club chiefs: "We have everything we want at Fulledge and you are not going to take it away from us."
After the meeting Mr Heys said he was disappointed with the lack of vocal support from club members, adding that he believed a referendum was the way forward.
Residents' spokesman Jack Howorth, who earlier had expressed fears that club members would pack the meeting and overwhelm residents was delighted with the outcome. "Our message came across loud and clear," he added.
Debate will now move on to the council chamber on March 6 for what could be the final test for the cricket club -- when councillors will decide whether or not the land is for sale.
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