ANGRY councillors today pledged to keep a green-belt vigil after controversial plans to house fairground rides were passed.

Hyndburn Borough Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "It amounts to the most disgusting planning decision I have ever known."

Last year members of the council's development services committee refused an application by two showride owners from Chorley to use land near the Moorfield Industrial Estate, in Burnley Road, Altham, to house 18 rides during winter.

It was turned down on the grounds that it contravened planning regulations which cover green-belt land.

But applicants Silcocks lodged an appeal with the Government's Planning Inspectorate, which passed it on to the Secretary of State.

A report into the appeal stated that councillors were right to claim the application would be detrimental to green-belt regulations.

However, the inspector stated that the planning application should be allowed because it was the only suitable site in East Lancashire for such a base.

The council was later ordered to allow travelling showmen to park their rides on the land in a bid to protect the tradition of travelling fairs.

But councillors claimed the impact on the nearby community would be massive.

They also claim the nearby Leeds to Liverpool Canal could be polluted, that the site could eventually become a dumping ground for old rides, that it would blight green-belt land and that rides would be tested on the site.

Now, a group of councillors led by Coun Britcliffe is to set up a working party to monitor the development.

He said: "It's the most disgusting planning decision I have ever known. It's amazing that they could just ignore the planning committee who know the area so well.

"We want to make sure now that the development follows the planning decision to the letter. But we've taken legal advice and there's no chance we overturn it."

The working party will include the chairman and vice-chairman of Clayton and Altham parish councils and two members of the Clayton Area Council.

"We must protect the rest of our green belt," Councillor Britcliffe said.