ANGER and disappointment has been expressed by a group of Cleveleys residents campaigning against plans to sell off farm land for housing.

Land north of Northumberland Avenue, commonly known as College Farm, was designated as land for future housing in Wyre's local plan.

But despite 18 months of petitions and vociferous protests from residents and councillors at the public inquiry stage, this week an independent Department of the Environment inspector recommended development should go ahead.

It is believed Fairclough Homes are interested in the site for more than 100 houses, much to the anger of Councillor Penny Steel who commented: "We have been told by our opposition that it's not valuable farm land but it is all we've got so it's valuable to us. Once you've built houses on it you can't get it back."

Councillor Steel is also concerned that the fact the site has been designated a biological heritage site by Lancashire County Council was ignored. "What is the point of the county council going to the trouble of doing this if it can just be pushed aside," she explained.

Another Cleveleys Park Councillor John Traynor added: "This is the first step of an urban sprawl between Cleveleys and Fleetwood.

The one saving grace, according to one of Northumberland Avenue residents, is that a natural boundary could be preserved between current houses and any new development.

Bob Gibson explained that councillors have agreed that if the Environment Agency rules a dyke running along the back of the street should not be coveted then it won't be.

"This would be something," he said, "but we would at least like it in writing."

The site is one of many in Wyre earmarked on the local plan for future development as the council is legally obliged to provide 5,600 new houses by the year 2006.

At the end of the public inquiry there were 3,000 objections outstanding, most relating to the loss of green field sites.

Council leader Richard Anyon commented: "No one relishes the thought of bricks and mortar replacing green fields. However, the council has a legal duty to find land to accommodate the extra houses needed in Wyre.

"All views were taken on board as far as possible. At the end of the day it is unlikely that we will be able to please everyone."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.