THORNTON residents are digging in to save their gardens from a housebuilder's bulldozer.

Neighbours in Northumberland Avenue and nearby Milburn Avenue, whose houses back onto the proposed site of a 102-home Fairclough development, are taking legal steps to defend a 10-yard strip at the bottom of their gardens.

But farmer James Thornley, negotiating to sell the 11-acre field to Fairclough Homes, maintains the 10-yard strip is legally his and always has been.

The residents are claiming squatters' rights - Robert Gibson, a retired teacher of Northumberland Avenue, said: "Over the last 20 years we have extended our gardens to the edge of the watercourse which borders the site.

"When I came it was just a pit where the builder had dumped his refuse - I and others cleared this up, cultivated and fenced it, and we firmly believe that after such a length of time we have a legitimate claim to the land.

"We have engaged solicitors in a bid to get us legitimate title through the Land Registry."

County councillor Keith Tebbs was sympathetic: "It's deplorable that people who've established lovely gardens like this over many years should be faced with losing part of them when in my opinion Thornton Cleveleys is already overbuilt."

Ward councillor Penny Steel said: "Personally I do feel they have a valid case after cultivating it for so long, but unfortunately it is out of the council's hands - it's entirely a legal matter between the residents and landowner."

Her fellow councillor David Oxley said: "I would hope the lawyers would take a sympathetic view given the circumstances."

The farmer and his solicitor declined to comment while the case was going on.

But Fairclough's acting managing director Steven Birch said: "The matter in question has been referred to the Land Registry and Fairclough Homes will await its decision.

"It is not Fairclough's intention, however, to develop the land until the matter is clarified."

Fairclough wants to build 82 detached homes and 20 semis, of which Wyre Council insists10 must be low-cost homes. The scheme was approved in November pending the signing of a final planning agreement.

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