RESIDENTS organised a high-speed protest after hearing that plans for a gas bottling plant near their homes had been approved by a council.

Householders in the Lydgate and Horning Crescent area of Burnley say they had no idea that Acewell Bottled Gas of Simonstone had been given the planning go-ahead to move into a Heasandford industrial estate unit opposite their homes.

But within two days of finding out, they say they raised a 400-name petition calling for a rethink.

Now they have presented the document to Burnley MP Peter Pike, who has promised to pursue the matter with Burnley Council.

Residents say there is widespread concern on their estate, with fears the LPG bottling and distribution plant will create a health hazard and noise nuisance.

They claim the council "rushed through" the application without consultation with residents.

And they are furious with the local parish council and ward councillors for failing to oppose the plan.

Mother-of-three Mrs Marisa Walker, of Lydgate, said: "We are arranging a meeting with the parish council this week.

"We were not told anything. We only found out through word of mouth."

She added: "We understand the whole thing went through the council in just nine days and we didn't get a chance to have our say. It just isn't good enough and feeling is running very high."

Mr Pike said: "I think the residents are right to be concerned about this and there are a number of issues I will be pursuing with the council.

"I want to look at the whole question of how this was passed through the council."

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