LONG-held ambitions to transform a water feature in Clitheroe look set to be realised with an £800,000 project.

And the nature reserve proposals for Primrose Lodge, backed by European Regional Development Fund, could see the construction of England’s longest fish pass.

Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) and site owners Beck Developments are behind work which will begin with 4,000 cubic metres of silt removed, before landscaping is undertaken and extra planting to promote amphibian, bird and insect life.

The next phase should see a new footpath created from Whalley Road to Woone Lane, including a footbridge over the nearby brook and a boardwalk and viewing platform will be installed.

Woodland areas will be thinned out and a stone wall between Woone Lane and the lodge is destined to be removed.

Once that is finished a giant fish pass is envisaged, to allow salmon, trout and eels to pass along Mearley Brook and onwards to Worston.

Jack Spees, RRT chief executive, said: “This work doesn’t just benefit aquatic animals, it’s good news for the communities who live nearby, many of whom have expressed support for improvements to be made to the lodge.

“This will provide the communities access to more blue and green space, and to be able to experience nature up close not far from home.

“We also hope this will encourage more people to visit, enjoy and value the rivers and green spaces of Clitheroe.”

Primrose Lodge was used as a powerhouse for the nearby mills, which gradually fell out of favour, and the regeneration of the manmade reservoir has been discussed for some time.

Ben Wilkinson, Beck’s managing director, added: “The trust’s successful bid for European funding represents the greatest opportunity in a generation to not only regenerate the lodge in the short-term but to put in place a long-term management plan which would safeguard this under-utilised blue and green space for the public to enjoy for many generations to come.”

Cllr Ken Hind, Ribble Valley Council leader, said: “There has been a longstanding aspiration for works to improve this site, and I am delighted that a scheme has come forward.

“The scheme will now go through the planning process and the committee will carefully assess the application.”

The announcement has come as the rivers trust, based on West Bradford Road, to the north of the town, celebrates 20 years.

Work this year alone has seen new fish passes built to allow better access to the River Darwen and River Roddlesworth at Hoghton Bottoms and Lower Darwen.