THE farmer behind a housing scheme hit by a freak landslide has been told he cannot build more cottages at the site.

Residents at Hodder Bridge Court, Chaigley, were evacuated from their homes when the car park behind their houses started collapsing into the River Hodder.

Three houses at the holiday development were evacuated as Norweb workmen struggled in driving rain to secure a 30ft pylon which was teetering on the edge of the precipice.

A 10ft section of the bank collapsed into the river, taking with it a huge chunk of the car park, several mature trees and pylons.

Developer Stan Ainsworth said there had never been a landslide at the site that he knew of and it may have been caused by excessive rain. An investigation into the cause of the landslide has been launched by the Environment Agency.

Now borough planners have given the thumbs-down to Mr Ainsworth's request to build two more cottages at the settlement.

Ribble Valley Council's planning committee heard that he wanted to build two three-bedroomed cottages at the site of a former swimming pool.

But Chaigley parish council wanted the area planted with trees instead, the meeting heard.

Councillors backed the recommendation of chief planning officer Stewart Bailey to refuse permission on the grounds of highway safety and visual impact in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

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