RESIDENTS battling against plans to build an all-weather sports pitch at a Blackburn school are claiming a first round victory.

Planning officials at county hall have decided to delay any decision on the major refurbishment of sports facilities at Pleckgate High until next year.

A group of people living in streets surrounding the school have formed an action group opposing the ambitious scheme.

The county council has received 24 letters objecting to it and a petition with 125 signatures.

Opponents claim the new pitch will create traffic chaos in the area during the evening and on weekends.

And they are also unhappy about the amount of disturbance which extra visitors and sporting events will bring to Pleckgate.

The planning application from Lancashire County Council includes floodlighting, landscaping and a security fence but no extra parking. The county council has now put forward an amended plan which, if approved, would move the synthetic pitch ten metres further from the nearest homes.

There would also be extra landscaping but still no provision for extra parking.

Residents will get the chance to have a say on the changes before councillors make a final decision on the application.

A spokesperson for the action group said: "A letter from the chief executive of Lancashire County Council has been sent to us, via Jack Straw, saying the application is not likely to be considered until the New Year.

"The Action Committee, who are in regular contact with the county council, believe sheer weight of concern and rejection of the proposed development have forced changes to the original plan."

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