CAMPAIGNERS who have united to fight plans by a controversial property tycoon to build a £2million country mansion have welcomed new backing from Ribble Valley councillors.

Watched by more than 50 members of the public, the planning and development committee backed officers' opposition to Gerald Hitman's farmland retreat at Wiswell, and blasted his company for taking advantage of the foot-and-mouth crisis in their application.

Campaigners David Taylor, of Hollins Farm, Sabden, said: "We've won the battle, but not the war."

Councillors agreed on Thursday to register their objections to the mansion with the government's planning inspectorate, which will hold a public inquiry, which is expected to be not before April.

Mr Taylor claimed that Mr Hitman's company, Brockhall Village Developments, had used a loophole to bypass the usual planning committee system.

The firm submitted its plan during the foot-and-mouth crisis, when planning officers were instructed not to go on to farm land in affected areas.

If an application is not determined within eight weeks, the applicant can take it to the planning inspectorate, which now makes the decision. Mr Taylor said: "At the least the council has had its say." Mr Hitman and his wife Linda want to build a futuristic house in about 50 acres of farmland which they bought when Lawsonsteads Farm near Wiswell was sold off.

Mr Hitman was responsible for the exclusive housing development which sprang up on the site of the old Brockhall Hospital in the 90s. He was unavailable for comment.

More than 40 objections were lodged protesting against the proposed development which is close to sites of archaeological, historical and wildlife significance and borders an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.