COUNCILLORS are to fight plans for a £2million rural mansion and have blasted the company behind the project for taking advantage of the foot and mouth outbreak to support the application.

Watched by more than 50 members of the public, Ribble Valley planning and development committee agreed to back officers' opposition to the country retreat in Wiswell.

East Lancashire property tycoon Gerald Hitman's Brockhall Village is behind the project on green belt land.

The concrete building, which would be rendered to look like native sandstone, would have three floors, at least five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a children's living room, family room, kitchen, dining room, drawing room, library, swimming pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, staff area, family court yard, study and viewing gallery.

Solar power would be used in part to heat the swimming pool.

A long drive would link the house to the road. The drive would be hidden from view by a line of yew trees.

Councillors were told last night that Mr Hitman's firm used obscure planning regulations to bypass the usual planning committee system.

The firm submitted its plan during the foot and mouth Crisis. Planning officers had been instructed not to go on to farm land in affected areas so were unable to put a report to the committee because they had not studied the site.

If an application has not been determined within eight weeks,the applicant can take it to the planning inspectorate to decide.

Councillors were told the proposed development breached many rules on building in an unspoilt area.

But it was also revealed that the firm was planning to use another rule to try to get permission for the building. Normal planning rules can be breached if it is proved that the project is of such high design quality that it has important architectural significance.

The committee was told that the plan had won an architectural award but councillors claimed one of the judging panel was involved with the project itself.

Lib Dem councillor Frank Dyson said: "This man sought to take advantage of a national crisis. Officers were not allowed to look at the site because it was in an infected area.

"I find this amazing for a man who says he has the interests of the Ribble Valley at heart.

Coun John Hill added: "It is like painting a Rembrandt and trying to put it up anywhere. Here we have the wrong canvas and wrong brushes. It should be back to the drawing board with this project.

Councillors agreed to back the council officers' stance on the development and have registered their objections with the planning inspectorate, which will hold a public inquiry.