A DAIRY farmer has been refused permission to expand his ice cream business -- but said he would continue his fight to build the scheme.

Eric Dowson, who owns Dowson Dairy at Hawkshaw Farm, Clayton-le-Dale, had applied to build a farm shop, classroom and cafe for visitors to sample the ice cream-making process first hand.

However, while his plans for diversification were applauded by members of Ribble Valley Council's planning committee, the scheme was refused because of road safety.

Earlier this year, the farm, which is reached via a track off the A59, had also applied to build a 10,000-tonne capacity composting plant on the same site.

But those plans, which were submitted to Lancashire County Council, were withdrawn in August following an outcry from nearby residents, who feared increased traffic and contamination.

Mr Dowson said: "I am obviously disappointed but the councillors spoke very highly of my plans for diversification.

"We will work with council officials and plan to return with modified proposals."

He had earlier told the meeting: "Our ice cream business needs to expand to meet present and future markets.

"We have proposed a farm shop, a new production area and somewhere where people can sit and enjoy an ice cream and a coffee.

"A small teaching room and tours of the farm would also show people where their ice cream comes from."

Councillors voted to reject the plans after the county engineer said the application would generate up to 200 extra vehicle journeys a day along a fast stretch of road which had a lot of cars overtaking.