A WAR of words has erupted between Darwen's two Connor councillors about a plan to build new homes on a green field site in their ward.

Labour's Frank Connor, planning and highways chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Council, hit back at accusations of "legal vandalism" of the environment made by fellow Marsh House councillor and Liberal Democrat Kevin Connor.

The Lib Dem is opposing outline approval to build on land between Marsh House Lane and Pole Lane, behind Priory Place. He said the borough had been "blighted" by such developments and it would spoil the rural aspect of the area and cause a further burden on the road network.

Frank Connor said that governments did not give permission to build on green field areas unless an application went to appeal.

He added: "The government does tell us how many houses to build. In our case, we were told to allocate land for 6,000 up to the year 2006. The present government said 60 per cent of our allocation must be built on brown field site and this council has achieved that target.

"The Darwen site has received outline permission on three occasions -- 1979, 1989 and 1993 -- and it is allocated for housing under the Blackburn and Darwen Local Plan. "Councillor Kevin Connor says the borough has been blighted by these developments. I would be interested if he would identify those areas he thinks have been blighted. The area in question is a beautiful area where many people live and many more would like to live," he said.

"The finished article is normally acceptable and pleasant to look at and certainly not a blot on the landscape. As far as this development goes, the land status in planning terms and its history cannot be lightly set aside. The planning application has been widely publicised and is open to comment. Any representation made will be taken into consideration."

Preston surveyors Acland Bracewell are agents for the nine-acre site, which they hope to market for potential residential developments. The proposal is due before the planning and highways committee on August 24.

Kevin Connor said: "At least people will now realise which councillor Connor is for and which is against developing green field sites.

"How he can defend the loss of these facilities in his own ward is scandalous. If it were down to me I would place a tax on developers and people selling this sort of land. The money could then be used to encourage redevelopment of derelict and brown field sites."