A DEVELOPER'S ambitious project to use a quarry for leisure use are set to fail.

Brian Boys, who runs B & E Boys in Waterfoot, has submitted plans for Hurdles Quarry on the moors above Bacup Road.

The proposal involves changing the use of the quarry for archery, rock climbing, mountain biking and 4X4 driving, as well as a landscaping and informal recreation and wildlife area.

The intention is to use the area for team building and corporate training in conjunction with facilities offered by St Mary's Chambers in Rawtenstall, also developed by the company. Mr Boys twice previously applied to use the area for a similar purpose in 1999 but those applications were withdrawn.

The plans will be discussed at the development control committee on Wednesday and six representations have been received. These concern access, the safety of some proposed uses and erosion of the quarry.

In recommending the application be refused the officer concludes: "While in principle use of the quarry would be acceptable for leisure purposes, noise generation in an open ended quarry would have an adverse impact on residential amenity.

"Furthermore the applicant has not submitted a thorough and proper noise assessment. It is also considered that the proposed access road would compromise the landscape character and quality in this area".