A MAN who put ponies in a field in a bid to prevent developers constructing more than 100 houses has been told his animals will be fenced off to allow work to go ahead - whether he agrees or not.

Colin Nelson, 69, of Allsprings Close, Great Harwood, is claiming 'squatters rights' on the proposed site of a new housing estate in the town.

Mr Nelson refused to move two ponies from the derelict site of the former Oxo factory at Record Mill, off Harwood Lane, when bulldozers from Manchester-based developer Maunders Westbury turned up earlier this week.

Work has since started with the ponies still on the land and Mr Nelson has contacted the RSPCA over the issue.

He is opposed to the 112-house development, claiming extra traffic will create jams in Great Harwood and Clayton-le-Moors.

He was due to discuss the problem with Maunders bosses before they rang to tell him the meeting had been cancelled.

The company wrote to Mr Nelson offering to fence part of the site off for the ponies to allow him time to find them a new home.

But Mr Nelson said: "I'm not interested in their letter. I am claiming squatters rights on that land because I have kept animals there for 15 years.

"The company was supposed to be meeting me, but they phoned to say they wouldn't do that until I moved the ponies.

"I have informed the RSPCA and if anything happens to the ponies there will be serious trouble."

RSPCA Chief Inspector Brian Jeffries said: "If Mr Nelson is claiming his animals may be at risk we will have a look at the situation.

"We will satisfy ourselves that the type of fence the developers intend to put up is appropriate."

Maunders land director Adrian Donovan said: "We are proceeding with the work and the ponies will be fenced off anyway."

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