PLANS have been submitted for 12 holiday lodges on a farm in the Ribble Valley.

Louise Monk is applying for the lodges on unused farm land at Pendle View, Primrose Lane, Mellor.

Agent Gary Hoerty Associates have published a planning statement with the application calling the farm an 'ideal location' for tourist accommodation.

It said: “Our client aware of the attraction of Ribble Valley as a tourist destination and this and that this has resulted in numerous recent planning permissions that have been granted by the council for new developments of various types of self-catering accommodation, including caravans, lodges, chalets and shepherd huts.

“She considers, and we agree, that her land is an ideal location for the establishment of a development of holiday lodges.”

The proposed development includes the lodges, a lodge to be used as a reception area or site office and access roads and footpaths between the parking area and individual lodges.

The lodges are 8m by 4m with a red timber exterior and there will be a parking area for 14 cars.

It is claimed that if the development is given the green light it will ‘strengthen the visitor economy by providing increased custom for local businesses, including the public houses, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions, not only in the countryside and the nearby villages of Mellor and Mellor Brook but also the larger village of Whalley and towns of Clitheroe and Longridge'.

Councillor Stella Brunskill, who represents the Mellor ward, said: “It is very difficult as if we listen to what the residents are telling me that they don’t like it as it will be too visible.

“On the other hand the Ribble Valley is keen to promote tourism. I don’t think we would want to have people who party there, visitors would hopefully be walkers visiting the area.

“You have got similar developments up in Gisburn and they seem to be doing alright.

“There are no great alarm bells for me about this type of development but we need to see that it fits in with the countryside.

“There will be some concerns about traffic.

“We have to listen to the views of the people nearby and they should be given the chance to debate it.”