RESIDENTS were today celebrating a victory for people power over a company planning to build a warehouse close to their homes.

Causeway Carpets submitted plans to build a factory and warehouse on land near Roe Lee Mill near Rosewood Avenue, Blackburn, but were refused permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council after it received a 59-name petition and several letters objecting to the scheme.

The company are already based at Roe Lee Mill and wanted to expand their operation.

But residents in the area campaigned against the proposals. They claimed it would cause traffic problems and cause disruption.

Marjorie Howarth, of Rosewood Avenue, organised the petition.

She said: "I was concerned about the effect it would have on all the neighbours. This is already a busy road and it would have got busier. "I am relieved it has been refused. I told everybody all along that we have a right to speak and if we don't nobody will know how we feel.

"It is always worthwhile to say what you think."

Around 50 letters from local residents were also sent to the town hall as well as petitions, including one signed by former mayor and leader of the council Peter Greenwood.

Causeway Carpets were planning to build a large warehouse and a small part would have been used for manufacturing.

There was also an added concern in the area because of Pleckgate High School.

Mrs Howarth said neighbours were now campaigning to have traffic calming measures introduced in the area.

She went on: "We are going to get together and form a committee to keep the momentum up. We will be reporting every incident in this area to the highways department."

Causeway Carpet's application for outline planning permission was considered by members of the planing and highways committee on Thursday and refused.

Officials urged councillors to turn down the application because of the lack of access and the impact the factory would have on the local area.

Director of Causeway Carpets Kenny Duncan said he did not want to comment on the planning application.