A Ribble Valley holiday park could be extended by dozens of caravans, taking the total to nearly 400.

The expansion could capitalise on the current demand for UK holidays amid the Covid pandemic but it has raised a series of concerns, according to a planning report.

Twin Ghyll Caravan Park at Paythorne, near Gisburn, is seeking permission from Ribble Valley Borough Council to change the use of land 16.8 hectares in size for 62 caravans, build a sewerage treatment plant and pumping station, and carry out other work at the site.  It currently has a licence for 325 caravans at the Settle Lane site on a similar sized plot.

The applicant behind the plan is named as the business Park Leisure 2000 Ltd and represented by an agent, Dominic Holding, based at the Lichfields planning consultancy in Manchester.

However, more than 60 objections have been received about the extension plans. Paythorne Parish Council, the Woodland Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Bowland Game-Fishing Association have raised various issues along with some individuals.

Concerns include the loss of farmland, road safety and access, the impact on the area’s natural biodiversity and visual appearance and potential pollution of the River Ribble. United  Utilities has not objected but it has raised concerns about water supply, waste water and surface water drainage.

Questions have also been raised about the economic benefits from the caravan park to the nearby hamlets of Paythorne, Newsholme and Horton.

A report to councillors on Ribble Valley’s Planning & Development Committee states: “In general from an economic perspective, the borough council seeks to encourage business growth in support of the local economy and the development of tourism facilities to increase the range and quality of accommodation and facilities in the borough.  This is supported by the Council’s Economic Plan.

“In particular, it is important to encourage opportunities for a range of employment especially in the wider rural area. It is also acknowledged that the demand for UK holidays has increased as a result of the pandemic but, as yet, it’s not known whether this will be a permanent change in trend. However, the proposal is considered to be broadly consistent with the council’s economic and tourism aspirations.”

Regarding the economic benefits of the caravan park, the report adds:  “The proposal will bring some benefits to the area due to additional visitors who are likely to spend money in the area and the creation of jobs and spending through the construction and operational phases.

“However, the site is not in a sustainable location. It is three miles by road to the nearest larger village of Gisburn. However, main services such as supermarkets can be found in Barnoldswick, in the borough of Pendle, which is seven miles away or at Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley or Settle in North Yorkshire, both of which are 11 miles away and a 20-minute drive. There is no public transport.

“Because Paythorne only has one pub, the very localised economic benefits will be confined to this and the site operator. There will be some wider benefits to Ribble Valley and adjacent borough.”

The caravan park extension plans have been revised in recent months and recommendations to councillors have changed a number of times.

Ribble Valley councillors on the planning committee will make a decision at their latest meeting on Thursday, January 6, at 6.30pm.