AN ANGRY resident of a hamlet next to a proposed high-tech dairy farm has demanded that Ribble Valley Council reconsider its decision to approve the scheme.

Protester Simon Lebon wants the plan for Withgill Farm to be referred to the government.

Speaking at a meeting of the council, he accused planners of being biased towards developer and Bashall Eaves farmer David Barnes.

"The proposals are hugely sensitive to voters, not only those residents at Withgill," said Mr Lebon. "This application is wrong and has been unfairly and improperly assessed."

The multi-million-pound development involves four new agricultural buildings, milking facilities, a machinery store and a new farm road, plus large-scale landscaping, and was given the go-ahead last month.

But it faced opposition from a group of nearby residents who described a sound barrier - a large mound of earth called a bund - as similar to motorway embankments.

Planning chairman Coun Chris Holtom said all the information was considered before the issue was brought to the committee. He stressed that the strict conditions imposed on the development would be adhered to by Mr Barnes and that the planners had acted properly. Coun Holtom said: "In the case of this proposal it was not the role of the planning authority to satisfy itself that there was no possibility of the enterprise failing, nor that it was absolutely necessary. It was important to satisfy ourselves that it could make a positive contribution to the local economic well-being."

Although the council decided not to reverse the decision, several councillors expressed concerns and said that lessons must be learnt.

Coun Graham Sowter said that in controversial or complicated cases a preliminary meeting should be held to identify key issues and that opposers should be given more time to speak at meetings.

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