Blackburn with Darwen Council growth team have launched their Local plan for the future development of the area. 

One of their proposals is to develop 94 acres of greenbelt land at junction 5 of the M65 (Ref S179). The development of this area would be for the purposes of employment and the development of industrial units. This development will destroy greenbelt land along with village life as the villages of Belthorn and Guide will merge with Blackburn town.

This greenbelt land is moorland containing peat and is in close proximity to a site of special interest which is home to an abundance of wildlife and ground nesting birds  including a colony of lapwings (red listed as high risk of extinction), curlew, oyster catchers, snipe, heron and starlings .

Barn owls, kestrel, deer, sparrowhawks, hares  and heron  frequently visit this site along with many others. The building of an industrial site in this area will destroy the colony of lapwings as buildings become a hotspot for preditors to target them from and drive away other wildlife as their habitat is destroyed.

The B6232  is renowned for being an accident hotspot, exposed to the elements at an altitude of over 300m it is often congested for several miles at peak times, causing congestion and obstruction to emergency vehicles accessing the local hospital.

Over the past 17 years there has been 12 fatalities, 30 accidents with life changing injuries and 180 other accidents. Lancashires police and crime commissioner highlighted the dangers on this road and installed average speed cameras. Development at this site will add more traffic and HGVs to this, already, well recognised, dangerous road.

 A government survey in November 2021 identified air pollution in this area as being extremely high. Adding more heavy traffic to this area adds more pollution and increases the health risk to families and children.

Over 300 objections have been raised by the local community and the Council have refused to alter their plans despite the strong feeling of local people against this development.

The villages of Guide and Belthorn support a strong community who are fighting to preserve their village life. They maintain numerous  English traditions, many of which have already been lost in many parts of the country. The strong community supports a history society who protect the local heritage of the villages , all this will be lost if the council continue with its current plan to develop this land.

Once this moorland is destroyed it cannot be replaced and its loss will have a massive negative impact on generations to come who will find themselves born into a land with even less  green space and wildlife , a land full of pollutants and a country of urban sprawl with dangerous congested roads . Is this what you want for your children ??

Sign this petition now and help to preserve this area of natural beauty for future generations.