AN EXCLUSIVE gated village which is home to businessmen and celebrities is being blighted by drug-taking on its disused bowling green.

Police today said youngsters from outside Brockhall Village -- and some residents -- were using the green and they were determined to stamp out the problem.

Members of the Residents Association are so concerned that they backed a planning application to use the area for new housing in a bid to resolve the situation.

But Ribble Valley councillors -- who rejected developer Gerald Hitman's plan for two apartment blocks and 14 large houses last week -- insist there are other ways to tackle the drugs menace.

The estate has slowly evolved over the last decade and houses currently fetch around £500,000 -- making them popular with executives commuting to Preston and Manchester daily and several well-known personalities.

The bowling green was part of the former Brockhall hospital site before

work on the 300-home development began and residents say they have never used it.

Glen Kingsley, chairman of the Brockhall Village Residents Association, said: "We supported the planning application for various reasons, including the fact it would deal with the problem of the bowling green.

"It is neglected and not used by the community, attracting little interest other than from people who use it to abuse drugs and commit anti-social behaviour.

"The planning application would have dealt with that and provided us with community facilities which would have been used."

Inspector Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, confirmed they had been called to the complex, entry to which is blocked by a security gate and guard.

He said: "We are aware of incidents of drug taking which are concerning the residents there and we will try and work with them to solve the problems there.

"It is believed there are a mixture of people using it, including people travelling from Billington, Whalley, Langho and some from within the estate.

"By car, you can only get on to the estate if a security barrier is lifted for you.

"But on foot there are many ways to get in."

Coun Graham Sowter, a local councillor who led the opposition to further housing at Brockhall Village, said: "There is no case for allowing building on the bowling green, it could be a valuable asset for the community.

"I would suggest they consult the council on safety by design schemes which prevent drug-taking and consider replacing the hedges there with open railings to improve surveillance and visibility.

"They could also have a CCTV camera linked to the current security lodge.

"The residents of Billington and Langho are constantly asking about the provision of a bowling green.

"Here is a super way to establish good relations between Brockhall and the rest of the parish."

The planning application, put forward by Mr Hitman's company Brockhall Village Ltd in conjunction with the residents association, also included a village hall and swimming pool with jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and sun terrace.

The planning application was refused on the grounds that it would have taken Mr Hitman over his allocation for housing on the site.

He declined to comment on the decision.