PLAYGROUND louts and vandals could plague Thornton residents if a new housing scheme goes ahead.

That's the fear of neighbours next to Marsh Farm, where Persimmon Homes want to build 35 houses and a three-storey block of 18 flats on a triangular plot at the corner of Amounderness Way and Anchorsholme Lane.

The scheme includes a children's playground, which neighbours fear could be a focus for teenage vandalism and nuisance.

Ward councillor Sally Preston said: "Although the playground would be aimed at younger children, older youngsters often use such sites as a gathering-place in the evenings and a lot of anti-social behaviour can take place.

"Other play areas are quite badly vandalised and people think it would be a nuisance."

A 48-name petition and 28 individual objections have been sent to Wyre Council.

Coun Preston went on: "A great deal of concern has also been expressed about the three-storey block of flats. Residents feel it's unnecessary in an area very much dominated by two-storey homes. They fear it could invade their privacy.

"It will also increase traffic on Anchorsholme Lane and on to Amounderness Way, which at rush-hour already has big problems."

However, she added, "On the whole people accept that development is to take place, they're not objecting to it in principle, just to the form of it."

Wyre planning officers were recommending the scheme to the planning applications sub-committee when it came up last night - they said fear of anti-social elements using the playground was not a valid reason to refuse planning permission.

They also did not accept objectors' concerns about traffic delays and road dangers, and in their assessment there were no privacy problems.

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