CONTROVERSIAL plans to build an extra 32 caravan pitches at a holiday park have been lodged.

The applicant, Britaniacrest Limited, submitted proposals to build in the Forest of Pendle Leisure Park in Roughlee.

The park, off Pasture Lane, lies within the south-eastern border of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The park sells an array of luxury holiday caravans.

Several letters of objection were received by Pendle Council describing the plans as ‘environmental vandalism’ and potentially spoiling views.

Within an objection letter, Simon Cronshaw, of Barley New Road, said he was not happy with the holiday park.

He said: “It’s impossible to walk on any public footpath around Roughlee and fail to notice this caravan park.

“It already painfully dominating parts of what is otherwise a beautiful landscape.

“To allow it to grow any larger or more prominent, high above the existing tree line, would be an unforgivable act of environmental vandalism inflicted upon the AONB we all share and enjoy.

“Pendle Borough Council now has an opportunity to make sure that this terrible planning mistake from the sixties isn’t further amplified by increasing the size and prominence of the park.

“To allow this present application would be an irreversible mistake, damaging the views of this landscape for tomorrow’s generations.”

A similar application was refused by the council in 2013, which aimed to extend the leisure park by 27 pitches.

Within a letter, a spokesman on behalf of Roughlee Parish Council, said: “The council’s objection to this development is to its adverse impact on the AONB.

“The current application is more intrusive than the earlier proposals and its adverse impact on the landscape is significantly greater.”

A spokesman on behalf of the applicant said: “The inspector’s comments in the last application have influenced the development of the layout and landscape strategy for this application.

“This is to tie in with the existing character and landscape and reduce the visual impact of the additional holiday units.

“The landscape proposals aim to enhance the existing tree belt within the site and provide additional tree planting that will screen and filter views of the holiday residents.”