Plans to turn an “eyesore” former dairy in East Lancashire into a home have been knocked back.

Permission in principle was sought from Ribble Valley Borough Council to turn the dairy at High Head Farm in Moss Lane, Chipping, into a house back in June.

Limited details of the development were provided initially owing to the application being one for permission in principle, though did say if approved the building would be used as a residential dwelling.

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The application site was most recently occupied by Leagram Organic Dairy, a business which bought organic cow, sheep, and goat's milk to produce artisan cheese and sell it commercially from the site.

Despite support from neighbours, the council refused the permission as it feels the site could still be used to generate employment.

In a decision notice, they said: “The proposed conversion of the application buildings to residential use would result in the loss of a site with employment generating potential, and no robust assessment has been provided with respect to the potential social and economic impact of this.

“Furthermore, no evidence has been provided in support of the application to demonstrate that attempts have been made to secure an alternative employment-generating use for the application site.

“Moreover, no information has been provided with respect to the application building’s structural integrity to demonstrate they are capable of conversion.”

One third-party response was received by the council, saying they would be generally supportive of any conversion.

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They said: “It has become something of an eyesore since the cessation of operations as a dairy earlier this year, and we would happily support any reasonable development on the site, especially conversion to a single residential property as stated.

“This has been done very tastefully with other similar properties belonging to the owner and we would expect something similar and sympathetic to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and rural nature of the site.”

The applicant has six months to appeal the council’s decision if they wish.