RESIDENTS fighting a plan for a steel plant will tomorrow take to the skies to show how much countryside would be 'ruined' by the development.

Aerial photographs will be taken of the site which Bolton-based company William Hare is hoping to develop as a steel fabrication works.

The plans, for an area of land close to junction eight of the M61 and opposite the new Mormon Temple, have led to strong protest from residents of nearby villages, including Wheelton and Whittle-le-Woods. More than 300 have registered their protests.

A campaign group has been formed to fight the proposals, which will soon be considered by Chorley Council.

Steering committee chairman Janet Ross-Mills, of Blackburn Road, Heapey, said: "Local feeling against this plan is very strong .

"The factory would be very visible, it would be noisy, there would be lots of traffic problems and there is the risk of air and water pollution. "We are fairly optimistic that planning permission will be refused but the company might well appeal. We will campaign until the end."

The development would cover a 10 hectare site, a fifth of which is green belt land.

The remaining part of the site is designated as "safeguarded" in Chorley's local plan, which generally means it should not be developed.

Campaigner Carole Lewis, of Buckholes Lane, Wheelton, said she objected to anything being built on green belt.

"If we give into this, then we will create a free-for-all. Companies similar to William Hare will be able to build at will on our few remaining fields.

"This issue upsets me greatly and makes me very angry. What next? A toxic waste dump?"

William Hare declined to comment.

Mike Gee, principal planning officer at Chorley Council, said: "We have consulted various bodies, secured the views of the local community and will report to committee."

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