RESIDENTS who live near a planned high technology farm in the Ribble Valley have stepped up their campaign to persuade the council to halt the scheme.

Bashall Eaves farmer Barry Barnes wants to amalgamate his two farms at Withgill, increase his livestock and introduce state of the art milking technology.

But householders at Withgill Fold have now sent a series of objections to Ribble Valley Borough Council. The authority's planning committee is likely to consider the proposal at a meeting at the end of May.

A statement by the Withgill Fold residents group says 54 residents, including 17 children, live as close as 70 metres to Withgill Farm.

"We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Barnes' and their staff and we are keen to retain this in the future," said a spokesman.

"But the proposal is contrary to the policies adopted by the Ribble Valley Council for two reasons.

"A development of this scale will adversely affect the appearance of the landscape to the detriment of all those who live, work or visit the region and the proximity of such a large intensive livestock unit to houses will create noise and smell both day and night."

However, Mr Barnes says it will help revitalise dairy farming in the Ribble Valley which has been through a rough time in recent years.

He said he milks 270 cows at his farms in Withgill and by combining them, and introducing a modern milking unit, he will be able to bring costs down.

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