AN angry villager has threatened legal action over plans to build a pet crematorium on greenbelt land.

Charles Birch, of Crowthorn Road, Edgworth, plans to appeal against the council's decision after councillors gave the go-ahead to build the proposed development at Crowthorn Farm.

The development, believed to be the first one of its kind in the Darwen area, will involve building a single storey stone building to provide accommodation for an office, a reception, a staff area, an incinerator and storage space, as well as a private car park.

There will also be a pet cemetery with individual burial plots.

The proposals have already met with objections from local community groups, including North Turton parish councillors and Turton Civic Trust, who fear the site would encourage further development on green belt land. Concerns have also been raised that the development would increase the amount of traffic along Crowthorn Road and endanger the lives of pupils at Crowthorn School -- which is due to close within the next year.

Mr Birch claimed the applicants already had accommodation suitable for conversion to a crematorium.

He said: "The applicants already have buildings 300 yards from the proposed site which could accommodate the proposed plans.

"The proposed building is supposed to be 70ft in length and will have a considerable impact on the site.

"The site is an isolated piece of land within the moorland and any building will have a serious impact on the green belt. The decision is in total opposition with the government's green belt policy. "And to generate something which is a commercial operation like this is going to generate a considerable of traffic movement in Crowthorn Road. I am going to appeal for a judicial review."

Councillor Ashley Whalley said: "We do have a green belt policy because there isn't a huge amount of it and I think it's important we do our best to protect it.

"I understand it will cause a huge amount of traffic by people who come back to visit their pets on a regular basis."