NEIGHBOURS living close to a former mill site earmarked for a £5million five-storey block of flats have launched a protest against the plans.

Residents in the Sunnybank area of Helmshore have already added 260 names to a petition against a planning application submitted to Rossendale Borough Council by Rawtenstall property developers the Hurstwood Group.

The company, based in New Hall Hey, is applying to build 34 luxury apartments off Free Lane, Helmshore. The project would include secure basement parking, a 24-hour concierge, two glass lifts up to the apartments and four penthouse flats. But campaigners are furious and intending to speak at a meeting of the council's development control committee next week.

The derelict Sunnybank site, formerly Porrits Mill, is close to the Bridge End pub and Snig Hole park as well as Hurstwood's prestigious Sunnybank development of executive homes.

Mavis Storey, of Sunnybank Close, said said: "There are too many points that haven't been considered which are likely to cause problems for existing residents. There was an application for 14 mews cottages to be built and that would have been ideal but this scheme would overdevelop the site.

"The apartments are not in keeping with the area, a five-story building would look very out of place around here.

"The fact there will be 64 more cars running in the area will have a huge impact on traffic flow and congestion which we don't want."

Managing director of Hurstwood Stephen Ashworth said plans conformed to Government strategy for brownfield sites.

"There are guidelines over the minimum number of homes per hectare and we have already been refused permission for a much smaller development on this site on density grounds. We were told we would have to increase the number of homes."

Current guidelines state there should be at least 33 new homes per hectare on new development, though schemes of more than 50 homes per hectare are preferred.

Mr Ashworth went on: "The scheme will bring much-needed, attractive and affordable housing to the area without causing traffic problems. Access to the apartments will be via a specially constructed bridge. Residents will only use a very short section of Sunnybank Road and pass in the front of only one existing house.

"Off street parking won't be required and the apartments will be screened by existing mature woodland. The whole site will also be landscaped, including reclamation works to the river, river walls and banks. It makes the best possible use of what is a limited supply of building land."

If planning permission is granted work would progress in two phases, with the first phase likely to begin late in 2003.

Hurstwood said apartments would range from two to four bedrooms, with prices expected to range from £100,000 to £200,000.

Mrs Storey added: "We have requested to speak at the meeting because we feel our views need to be heard and considered before any decision is made which could completely change the area."