RESIDENTS in Longridge have vowed to form an action group to halt a proposed holiday complex being built around a picturesque flooded quarry.

A planning application has been submitted to Ribble Valley Council for 30 stone chalets to be built around the site of Green Bank Quarry, which has been allowed to return to its natural state after quarrying ended.

Staff accommodation, a restaurant and reception will also be built on the site, off Old Clitheroe Road.

Currently it is a popular beauty spot with local people who enjoy the grassy fields sloping down to the newly-created lake.

But they fear it could be lost if the proposed scheme gets given the go ahead.

Longridge Town Council, which has been asked by Ribble Valley Council for its observations on the scheme, has given the chalets scheme the thumbs up, although they have asked for the chalets to be made out of timber instead of stone.

But it has opposed plans for the reception, restaurant, car park and staff accommodation, claiming it would be an over-intensive use of the site.

Local residents are now planning to battle against the project when it comes up before Ribble Valley Council's planning committee.

Local resident Ashley Sharples said: "I work in the town centre and I know there is a lot of bad feeling about this project.

"This area is used by a lot of local people and it will be lost if this project goes ahead.

"It won't do the town any good because all the facilities the holidaymakers want will be on site.

"They won't need to come into the town so it will be of no benefit to us.

"We will literally be a stopping off point for people going elsewhere in the Ribble Valley.

"There are plans to form an action group to propose the plans."

A spokesman for Ribble Valley Council confirmed the plans had been received and would be presented to a future meeting of the planning committee.

Coun Mary Wilson, who represents Longridge, said the town was split on the plans.

She said: "The development would generate jobs and financial gain for this area but I can see the environmental points of view, especially as this is within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

"It has split the town."