Concerned residents expressed their worries about the impact the redevelopment of a popular beauty spot would have on the village.

Belmont Village Residents Association held a meeting on Tuesday (July 25) evening to put forward concerns after a new planning application was submitted.

Blue Lagoon Heritage Ltd submitted the proposal to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the redevelopment of Wards Reservoir in Belmont.

Around 80 members turned up to the 7pm meeting in the Black Dog pub and discussed several issues ranging from noise pollution, increased traffic and road safety, which will be put forward to the council.

Belmont Parish Councillor, Keith Harrison was at the meeting and says the vast majority strongly oppose the plans. He said: “An overwhelming amount of people oppose these plans because of the huge impact it will have on the village and residents’ lives.

“An access road will be made from Rivington Road, which is a narrow and notorious road in the village. There will be more than 10,000 heavy goods vehicles making return journeys six days a week, over 12 months, to undertake works at the lagoon.

“How on earth will it work because the village is already difficult enough to drive through at times and there’s going to be massive traffic jams.”

There have been four crashes on Rivington Road in the past two months so residents are ‘terrified’ by this worsening with increased traffic as a result of the redevelopment.

Cllr Harrison added: “We’ve got a primary school in the village so there’s an issue with the safety to our children. It’s terrifying for residents. Then the vibrations from the number of trucks is going to cause so much more noise if this were to go ahead. It’s a nightmare scenario.”

The proposal includes plans for a permanent three bedroom single storey accommodation for the site manager and their family as well as a café, shop and storage facility to manage the fishery business.

Mike Phillips, a member of BVRA expressed his concerns over the proposal. He said: “It’s just illogical. Show me a reservoir that’s got a lake and a shop on it. There isn’t one. It’s something the majority of us do not want.

“It will ruin people’s lives. Traffic goes past the church and it’s bad enough now. Houses can’t stand the noise. It’s obscene really.

“One girl who lives here said she’ll leave if the plans go ahead. People can’t live like this.”

Blackburn with Darwen councillors for West Pennine ward Julie Slater and Neil Slater were not at the BVRA meeting but expressed their support. Cllr Julie Slater said: "Neil and I back the residents with whatever they want.”

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “The formal planning application is currently being considered by BwD, and all representations received from the local residents including the parish council and ward councillors, will be fully considered during the assessment of the application”.