CAMPAIGNERS fighting a proposed shopping development in Oldbury are planning to hold a ‘mock funeral’ to protest against the dangers of air pollution.

Members of the Save Lion Farm Fields group are planning to carry a coffin half a mile from playing fields on Newbury Lane, to highlight their fight against the controversial £200 million scheme.

The retail outlet proposal, put forward by Jeremy George Knight-Adams Plc, includes plans to build a 200,000 square feet centre on the Sandwell Council-owned land.

The company said the new scheme could create 2,000 jobs.

Opponents have claimed residents have been kept in the dark about the scheme - a claim strongly refuted by the local authority.

The council has said the proposal has been published in the local press and discussed at public meetings.

Pete Durnell, chairman of the campaign, said in a statement on the group’s Facebook page:  “The purpose of our procession will be to mark the potential death, if this crazy development goes ahead, of wildlife, local people.

“The area is already heavily polluted, more traffic means more pollution – and the loss of our local football league –  the loss of 12 football pitches.”

In June, the group staged a ‘human chain’ protest on the playing fields, which attracted 200 people.

Brian Crockett, speaking on behalf of campaigners, told a recent meeting of Sandwell Council’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee residents feared if the development went ahead, there would be traffic problems, increased air pollution from cars and the loss of the playing fields.

“We have great concerns of the development leaving Sandwell with no fields and possibly no retail park,” Mr Crockett added.

Councillors at the meeting were reassured any proposed development would go to public consultation.

The ‘funeral’ is planned to take place on Sunday, September 9.