PLANS to extend a popular pub and restaurant into a hotel, lodge and conference centre look likely to fall at the first hurdle.

The planned 40-bed hotel, conference centre, swimming pool, creche, visitor education centre and self-catering cabin complex at the Fisherman's Retreat had split opinion in the nearby villages of Shuttleworth and Turn, with some residents backing the project and others campaigning against it.

Members of Turn Residents' Association felt the £2 million development would increase traffic near their homes and mean a loss of open space.

But the East Lancashire Partnership and some local residents supported the plans, claiming there was a need for extra accommodation in the area and the provision of dedicated activities like fishing and horse riding.

The Fisherman's Retreat and Twine Valley Fishery, run by businessman Hervey Magnall and his family, is a popular attraction with local people as well as schools and foreign visitors.

In the outline planning application submitted to Rossendale Borough Council, it is stated that the project would create almost 30 jobs if it got the go-ahead.

But members of the engineering and planning sub-committee, due to meet this afternoon, were expected to refuse permission for the scheme. The plans still have to go before the full committee on Monday.