CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a rural commercial estate have been revealed.

Brian Walker wants to develop a group of offices and industrial units on land on his Lower College Farm in Hothersall.

He believes it will provide employment for hundreds of new houses to be built around the village and nearby Longridge.

But neighbours feel it will cause noise, traffic and ruin ‘the gateway to the Forest of Bowland’.

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Mr Walker has circulated details of his initial scheme to local households and it has already been discussed by Longridge Town Council.

On Tuesday, March 14, it will be debated at the meeting of Hothersall Parish Council at Hothersall Lodge.

Mr Walker hopes to build two small office blocks, four industrial units and three starter units on 5.4 acres of land along with parking for 240 cars near the villages Corporation Arms pub.

Neighbour Stephanie Gornall said: “This is wrong development in the wrong place.

“It will destroy the heritage and village atmosphere of Hothersall.

“This is supposed to be the gateway to the Forest of Bowland and a small industrial estate is not the way to welcome people to this area of outstanding natural beauty.”

Mr Walker said he had deliberately circulated details of his proposals before submitting a planning application to Ribble Valley Borough Council so he could amend them in the light of his neighbours views.

He said: “We chose this area as the borough had identified it as suitable for employment development.

“This is a rural commercial estate aimed at providing work for people in the hundreds of homes given planning permission in and around Longridge.

“It will provide a countryside working environment for people and we hope the car parking will help Hillside Specialist School.”

A formal plan could be submitted later this month.