RESIDENTS who recently won a battle against a plan to build new homes in their village are looking at ways to stop future development wars.

Councillor Doug Hayes is working with residents from Stanhill to set up the group which hopes to draw up guidelines for developers to follow when submitting plans for the area.

In March residents won their fight against Manchester-based developer Barratt which wanted to build 59 homes on the site of an old pickle factory including several three-storey town houses.

After Hyndburn Council turned down the application, Barratt appealed to Government planning inspectors in a bid to get the decision reversed.

However, the inspector found in favour of the council and the Barratt plan was dismissed.

Now residents are keen to stop history repeating itself.

Councillor Hayes said: "We are meeting a planning consultant to create a development strategy for Stanhill.

"The residents are keen to see the site of the old pickle factory regenerated but want to see it done appropriately."

At present Stanhill falls under general planning guidelines applying to all of Hyndburn, and developers can build structures several storeys in height if similar buildings are built in Accrington.

Councillor Hayes added: "Depending on what comes from the meeting between planning consultants and residents, new guidelines may be established if they are approved by Hyndburn Council."

Stanhill resident Richard Hooper, who led the campaign against the Barratt development, plans to attend the meeting which will be held next Thursday.

He said: "The residents of Stanhill village are delighted that the council has been able to support us by providing help to ensure the Peel Fold Mill site is developed in line with the wishes of the community and in a way that is appropriate to the character of the area.

"This is the culmination of a long, hard fight by the community to ensure that its identity and heritage isn’t lost at the whim of big developers.

"We will be exploring with the council how we can ensure our voice is best represented in future on this and other issues so that the village literally stays on the map."