A COUNCIL has been accused of jumping the gun by pressing ahead with building work in Darwen's Redearth Triangle'.

Blackburn with Darwen council has published a public notice for temporary closure of roads round the area so water supplies and other utilities can be diverted.

The site was destined for a £33million Academy but last month an inspector said the council was wrong to order demolition of 150 homes.

He stripped the authority of its compulsory purchase order to buy and knock down the remaining 11 private properties.

The council is to appeal, but campaigners said it has pre-judged the outcome.

An interim injunction also bans the council from demolishing more homes pending the outcome of a possible judicial review.

Sayyed Osman, deputy director of regeneration, housing and neighbour-hoods for the council said: "Discussions relating to our challenge to the injunction to stop clearance in this area are ongoing. Until the outcome is known we need to proceed with preparations."

But Simon Huggill, 56, of Sough Road, who represented residents at the public inquiry said: "They are carrying on regardless. They are not listening to what central government has said."

He said he phoned Capita Symonds, a council contractor, and was told roads were being dug up so utilities could be installed to supply the academy.

Coun David Foster, leader of the LibDems on the council, said: "The Liberal Democrats are already against wasting public money appealing against the inspector. It seems the council is jumping the gun and assuming the decision is going a particular way."