CONCERNS have been raised about a former hotel residents fear is being used as a set for pornographic films.

A number of complaints have been made about rat infestations near the closed Windmill Hotel in Mellor Brook.

Cllr Barrie Yates, who represents Samlesbury on South Ribble Council, said: “We have been contacted by residents about their concerns for the site.

“But we need to get permission from the landowner for our environmental health team to check if there are rats and then also from the planning officers to see if there is anything that can be done planning wise.

“People have been very worried about the hotel being left derelict and they are sad to see it in a state of disrepair. We want to make sure it is safe and would like to get it back into use.

“The landowners have made it safe by putting up fencing but there may be worries about people climbing over the fences, and we want to make sure there are no further problems.

“We will be sending council officers up there to check it out.

“It is concerning for residents to have a piece of land which is not being used. In the South Ribble Plan for Samlesbury, there is a need for housing and some people on Samlesbury Residents Forum have come to the conclusion that might be a solution for the land.

“We are not aware of any plans for the land.”

John Greaves of the Samlesbury Residents Forum, said: “It has been empty for a few years and there have been a few problems.

“There were plans to turn it into a garage and shop, but the Samlesbury Residents Forum managed to get 300 people to the planning meeting and they convinced them to not approve it.

“The planning officers had recommended it for approval but it was refused.

“We have had reports of porn being filmed there and locals have said there have been lights on in the upstairs rooms at night.

“Some of the people who live nearby have also said there have been rats in their gardens and they think it is because of the site being empty.

“Environmental health said they were putting together a report on the rats. We just want it demolished and if possible replaced by affordable housing.”