CONCERNED councillors have vowed to fight development on former school playing fields after it emerged the site has been sold by Lancashire County Council.

Liberal Democrat councillors Neil Mottershead and Charlie Briggs are determined to keep the green space surrounding Burnley’s former Ivy Bank High School.

Residents fear the land between Kiddrow Lane, Scott Street and the Sweet Clough watercourse in Gannow could be turned into a housing estate.

Their concerns for the open green space have been heightened by May’s decision by the new Burnley High School’s plan to fence of their land between Kiddrow Lane and Padiham Road, which is also used by dog walkers, joggers and ramblers.

The Gannow councillors expressed their worries after a spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “We have agreed a conditional contract with a purchaser for the former Ivy Bank site.”

He declined to give any further details.

The 26 acre site, which includes the former vacant Ivy Bank School building, is more than half green open space including former playing fields and ‘habitat areas’.

It had previously been zoned for industrial development and is now part of a parcel of land earmarked by Burnley Council for up to 250 new homes.

When the High School land was fenced off in May disgruntled local residents expressed their anger at losing the recreational space.

Cllr Briggs said: “All three Gannow councillors, myself, Cllr Mottershead and Mark Payne will fight to keep the green open space as a recreational area.

“It is beautiful place with trees and plants to take your dog, go running or walk.

“We have no problems redeveloping the empty Ivy Bank School buildings as a brownfield site but we are determined to keep this green space, something Burnley is increasingly losing.”

Cllr Mottershead: “I am very worried about the future of this beautiful piece of green space now the site has been sold.

“It is now zoned for housing by the borough council but I will oppose any planning application to build on it.”

Campaigners fought to keep the green part of the site as an open space for the community in 2014 after fears it could be sold off for development by the county council.