A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to set up a laser activity centre on Darwen's Cranberry Moor looks likely to be scrapped after planners recommended it for refusal.

But applicants Elaine Marsden and Duncan Bell have said they will consider appealing if their scheme is turned down.

The pair, who live at Moss Side Farm, hoped to run organised laser combat games on the site, which would involve two teams of up to 10 people using simulated weapons to fire an infra red beam at receptors on the target.

They also proposed to create a new 24-space car park south east of houses at Cranberry Fold Court which would be accessed by the existing track that runs adjacent to the homes.

But the plans have met with mixed reactions -- with 728 people signing a petition supporting the scheme and one letter backing it and a further 404 people signing a petition against the plans and 168 letters of objection.

Council planners have recommended that when the planning committee meets tomorrow night, at Blackburn Town Hall, they should refuse the application on various grounds.

These include increased traffic and noise levels from people using the site, an unsuitable access point, interference with the public's right to air and exercise on the common land, disturbance of a Biological Heritage Site, insufficient information from the applicants and it being contrary to several council policies.

In a report to the committee, Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods, said: "The proposal as submitted would have a serious impact on the habitat of the Biological Heritage Site.

"The residential amenities of the nearby properties would be seriously affected by the increased traffic generation caused by the proposal and noise generation.

"There are highway safety concerns in terms of the increased traffic generation along Cranberry Lane, the sightlines to the access track, and conflict with members of the public using the existing public rights of way."

Duncan Bell said: "We are not asking for the earth.

"This is something for children because there is nowhere else for them to go.

"If our application is refused we will be considering appealing.

"We don't give up that easily. I could understand it if we were doing something to the detriment of the land."