RESIDENTS in Halton say they are concerned that a proposed new industrial and housing development will ruin a local beauty spot and adversely affect the character of the village.

Proposals for Halton Mill, which could include executive homes on the picturesque banks of the River Lune, have upset locals who also fear a new road to the development will lead to the felling on mature trees.

Residents have joined forces and set up an action group to campaign against the plans and have circulated a protest letter to everyone in the village.

One resident, John Beasley, said: "Although the original plans have been about for years there has been plenty of changes and we don't feel the people of the village fully understand what's planned for this site. We're losing greenfields, there will be a road built through a farmer's land that will meet the highway opposite a children's playground, they will have to cut down mature trees and the houses that are being built will not be meeting village demand. I think we'll see executive homes built on the riverside, which will spoil what is a local beauty spot."

He added: "Many people in the village are against the development for different reasons but most of all we feel it will ruin the feel of the village. We are also worried that it could lead to more in-fill development."

The plans have been drawn up on behalf of the Halton Consortium who want to see a mixed residential and industrial development of the Halton Mills site. The application follows on from the allocation of the land as an employment opportunity site in the Lancaster District Local Plan and was considered at the Local Plan Public Inquiry when the Inspector supported the principle of the mixed development of the site.

It will be discussed by the planning committee on June 11.

Anyone may inspect the latest application details at Palatine Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster.