Controversial plans to partially fill in a popular moorland beauty spot are back on the agenda.

A new planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of Wards Reservoir in Belmont – popularly known as "The Blue Lagoon".

Last time such a scheme was proposed it generated strong local opposition and a protest petition.

The new proposal from Blue Lagoon Heritage Ltd to Blackburn with Darwen Council is for "engineering works to partially infill and restore the redundant Wards Reservoir and change of use to fishing lake including site managers accommodation, fishing centre, a fenced yard, parking and storage barn".

A supporting statement says: “An engineer commissioned by the Environment Agency has declared the reservoir to be unsafe.

“Both the EA and Blackburn with Darwin Council are supportive of its discontinuance and infill.

“Reduction in the depth of water would be achieved by filling the reservoir with approximately 90,000 square metre of inert clay-based material.

“The objective would be to leave 1.5 to 2m depth of water so it could be used for angling.

“This would generate sufficient income to cover the maintenance of the site as well as providing permanent occupation of an isolated site as a means of preventing vandalism.

“Vandalism of the reservoir infrastructure centred on the theft of the lining and spillway stone is one of the main reasons why the reservoir has been rendered unsafe.

“Angling would be supported by the car parking, a cafe/angling shop, a barn for storing equipment and a site manager’s accommodation..

“The reservoir infill would take around 12 months to complete.

“The cost of repairing and maintaining the dam in its current configuration is prohibitive.

“A new use must be found that retains maintains the site.

“A recreational fishing lake will provide the necessary income.

“A building is required to accommodate essential facilities for anglers to enjoy a full day of fishing.

“It will contain male and female WCs, a disabled toilet, a shop selling bait and fishing equipment, plus a café serving hot food and refreshments.

“This building will also provide a community room for education activities, in particular therapeutic training activities for people with physical or learning disabilities.

“It will also provide a welcome resource for walkers and cyclists.

“The building could also act as a hub for tourist and visitor information.

“The site requires a 24-hour security presence and a site manager able to carry out urgent repairs and maintain the whole estate.

“Accommodation for the site manager and their family is permanently required, a minimum three bed accommodation with a small fenced-off private garden.

“The building has been specifically located on a promontory at the water’s edge so it has complete visibility of the whole lake.”