PLANS for 62 holiday homes in the Ribble Valley to boost tourism after the foot and mouth outbreak have been rejected.

Members of the Ribble Valley planning committee gave the thumbs-down to the proposal by Gisburn Park Estates for holiday homes at Deerhouse Farm, Gisburn, despite a recommendation of approval by officers.

Now estate owner Christopher Hindley is considering whether to appeal against the decision, which he dubbed extremely disappointing.

The meeting heard that Gisburn Park Estates wanted to construct a holiday park, with 56 static caravans and six timber chalets.

Rundown and disused farm buildings would have been demolished for the scheme, which would have created jobs.

The plan had been substantially reduced and revised after a refusal in 1999.

Chief planning officer Stuart Bailey said: "The current application is now situated within close proximity of existing buildings and will be reasonably well screened by mature trees.

"There will be some impact to nearby residents, but I am satisfied that subject to adequate landscaping the effect will not be unduly significant. I am also satisfied the environmental statement is appropriate and conclude the scheme would not have an overriding impact on the local ecology."

But councillors overwhelmingly rejected it on the grounds of visual and environmental impact after hearing that householders nearby feared increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Mr Hindley said: "We have been working hard with planning officers to revise the scheme and there seems to be little objection in the village to it. Farming is going through troubled times and we are trying to diversify and create new employment."

Mr Hindley has already converted the Gisburn Park mansion house into the private Gisburn Park Hospital, which employs 100, and constructed the Gisburn Diner on the A59, which employs 10.

He added: "It's a pity that some councillors hadn't even seen the site and I will be considering whether to appeal."