RESIDENTS in Cowpe have renewed their fight against plans to build a housing estate at a former mill.

The Hurstwood Group has resubmitted plans to build 19 apartments and 20 new homes at Kearns Mill, a former wool dyeing mill which closed in 2004.

The company said the scheme would help save one of the Valley's last remaining mill buildings.

But residents said the move would see the village population - currently around 200 - increase by 50 per cent and create a "traffic nightmare."

They fear the development would lead to dozens of extra vehicles using the narrow, winding Cowpe Road, which has only one entrance and one exit.

They say the bridge crossing the River Irwell was narrowed last year allowing only one car to cross at a time and signs have recently been erected banning heavy vehicles.

Residents Pat and Michael Fuller have arranged a meeting tonight at Cowpe Primary School and organised a 180-signature petition.

Mrs Fuller, of Boarsgreave Lane, said: "This will cause a traffic nightmare. All the residents still feel the same about this.

"The road is already very narrow and is used by children and the elderly. People who don't know the area already misuse the road. If this is allowed to go ahead, we fear somebody will be killed."

A Hurstwood traffic survey claimed the development would generate 59 per cent fewer trips during the morning peak period and 75 per cent fewer in the evening peak period than if the mill was being used for industrial purposes.

Hurstwood's head of planning Daniel Hartley, who has agreed to meet residents, said: "When the original plan went before the committee the planners' report did not have any objections in terms of highways or other technical considerations."

He added: "The is one of the last remaining mills in Rossendale - this scheme represents an opportunity to save the mill and to improve the appearance of the area whilst at the same time avoiding encroachment into the countryside. It is worrying that there appears to be a small group of individuals that would prefer to see the building remain empty and derelict."

The plans go before Rossendale's development control committee later this year.

l The meeting starts at 7.30pm.