A PLANNING application has been submitted for 'a modest timber field shelter' on the West Pennine Moors for a herd of alpacas.

Bolton's Helen Jones wants the structure to protect her herd of the South American animals on land to the south of Delph Reservoir in Longworth Road between Egerton and Belmont.

A supporting statement from her agent HPA Chartered Architects to Blackburn with Darwen Council planners says: "The proposal seeks to erect a modest field shelter in an agricultural site for the alpacas grazing the site.

"The alpacas are privately owned and there is no business use associated with the livestock.

"The site currently is a field in a moorland setting. The site is typical marshy grassland, common in this locality. The building will be constructed of horizontally laid timber boarding beneath a corrugated metal roof.

"The proposed location of the field shelter has been dictated by the topography, away from the public highway and within a hollow to reduce visual impact.

"Given the sensitivities of the site, a timber clad solution has been chosen to ensure the building denotes a higher quality aesthetic than the majority of alternative modern agricultural buildings.

"Stocking densities for alpacas is also less than cattle meaning, environmentally, the potential impact is significantly lessened. Subsequently, this means that manure production within the site has also been reduced. The proposed development will not have an adverse impact on the landscape or existing ecological systems."

West Pennine ward's Cllr Jean Rigby said: "My main concern is the alpacas welfare. Will they be looked after, safe and secure?"