PROTESTERS campaigning against plans to build a flats complex in an exclusive residential area expect to fill two coaches taking them to a crucial planning meeting.

A white-hot atmosphere is guaranteed for Blackburn Borough Council's planning and highways committee meeting this evening (Thursday, April 18) - when a decision is expected on the proposed development in Meins Road.

Developers Crowther Homes want the council to give the green light to plans for 17 flats and 10 maisonettes - in a mock Tudor style - on the site of the former Heathfield School, Blackburn.

But Meins Road Area Residents' Association, which has spent the equivalent of £40,000 on a thorough action plan to thwart the idea, wants the scheme to be kicked out.

Campaigners say the land is not of good enough quality to build a four-storey flats development on.

The latest move has seen the residents' association send a strongly worded solicitor's letter to Town Hall, reminding the local authority that it is vulnerable to judicial review should the plans be rubber-stamped without full investigation of the land's suitability.

And action group spokesman Michael Saulet told the Citizen: "We want common sense to prevail.

"To this end we have also sent each of the 16 planning committee councillors and planning officers a copy of a letter drawing their attention to legislation entitling existing residents to seek legal redress through the courts where property is affected by flooding or slippage."

The residents' association have funded geological, traffic and arboricultural reports and claim a government geology expert has told them the site is unsuitable for a multi-storey flats development.

Mr Saulet said: "We'd be happy to see five detached houses built there - the land is suitable for that."

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