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Group forms to fight new homes
A NEW group has been formed to fight a controversial housing development in Wesham.
Developer Metacre Ltd – a company affiliated with Blackpool Tower's multi-millionaire owner Trevor Hemmings – wants to build 264 homes on land north of Mowbreck Lane
But committed local residents have joined forces to form Wesham Action Group, which has been set up to protect the environmentally important site.
And after finding hundreds of toads breeding in a pond on Wesham marshland, the group say any objections to the development are now more important than ever.
Chairman Andrea Galbraith said: "If a breeding pond goes then it could affect the population for quite an area around the pond.
"It would be a major blow to the toads, frogs and newts, if the neighbouring land were lost to more housing and new roads."
Common toads have made national headlines recently because of a marked decline in their numbers.
They have been declared a priority species by conservationists on the UK's Biological Action Plan.
Wesham Marsh Land is renowned for its bird and plant life, but the discovery of such a large volume of toads is unusual.
Mrs Galbraith added: "Finding that Wesham Marsh is an important breeding site for these threatened amphibians is another reason people should act now, while there's still time, and object to this planning application."
Since Metacre's controversial proposal was first put forward last year, many residents have opposed the scheme, saying there is no need for new houses
Residents also say schools, doctors' surgeries and roads will be stretched to breaking point if the scheme goes ahead.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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