CAMPAIGNERS who signed a 700-name petition against developers' plans to "swallow up" their village have lost the battle to prevent 120 houses being built on green fields near their homes.

But residents in Guide have vowed to fight on to prevent a massive retail development including a hotel, pubs and a petrol station being approved for the same site.

The village action group last night made a last ditch bid to protect land near Haslingden Road by handing their petition to councillors.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee gave the scheme the go-ahead because the land is earmarked for housing in planning guidelines set out in 1983.

The estate is the first phase of a massive development which, it is claimed, will create up to 1,000 jobs.

A further plan is due to be submitted to the council for the second phase of the scheme which will be a massive retail development.

Liberal Councillor Paul Browne attacked the decision to give the project the go-ahead saying it would wipe out wildlife in the area and cause a massive increase in traffic. He added: "It is ludicrous to go ahead with an extreme planning application like this. The way we are going there will be no green areas left in this borough. What is going to happen now is pure vandalism.

"We are going to ruin all the heritage we have in that area and it is a sin and a shame.

Coun Dave Harling said the council's majority Labour group understood the concerns of the residents.

But he added: "In 1983 this land was designated for housing use and in planning terms that is now a tablet of stone.

"If we refused this application the developers would take us to appeal and it would be highly unlikely we would win. Our hands are tied.

Residents' spokeswoman Mrs Pat Kennedy said after the meeting: "We feel we have far more chance of opposing the retail development and we will be focusing on that now.

"It is a shame these fields will be built on. Our village is going to be swallowed up."

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