CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after a plan to build 55 houses in the heart of their village have been scrapped.

The proposal, which affected Green Belt land, off Long Lane, Tockholes, sparked an angry reaction from residents.

Opponents set up The Friends of Tockholes to fight the proposal, featured in Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's draft development plan.

But the authority has now decided to axe the plan after deciding it would increase the numbers of people making lengthy journeys to work from the area.

Campaign spokeswoman Claudine Willis said: "We are grateful that the council listened to the strong feelings of villagers and people from surrounding area.

"The plan has been a blight on the village for nearly two years. We will now concentrate on other issues affecting the village and continue with our commitment to preserving this area of outstanding natural beauty."

More than 1,000 letters of protest were sent to the council following its announcement and a heating public meeting was held in the village to discuss the proposals.

But a report presented to Blackburn with Darwen Council's regeneration committee has now stated: "Any housing development in this location (Tockholes) would be contrary to the recently adopted Lancashire Structure Plan as it is located in the Green Belt. "This housing development would result in increased numbers of lengthy journeys to work by car."

Members accepted the recommendation to delete it from the deposit draft plan due to be published in February 1998.

It was also noted that the withdrawal of the proposal had been one of the most significant recommendations in terms of the amount of representations received from the public.

Tockholes Parish Council chairman John Jacklin added: "The council have obviously taken into account the views of the majority of people and the parish council believe they have made the right decision. Tockholes in one of the last villages in the area that has not been overdeveloped.

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