Councillors hit out at housing plans for village

Two councillors have said they are 'completely opposed' to plans to build hundreds of homes in Ribble Valley.
Proposed site for 275 homes on Preston Road, LongridgeProposed site for 275 homes on Preston Road, Longridge
Proposed site for 275 homes on Preston Road, Longridge

Councillors David Smith and Ken Hind said they hoped Ribble Valley planning committee would reject proposals to build 275 homes on land to the west of Preston Road, in between Longridge and Grimsargh.

This is the second time the consortium of local businesses has attempted to submit the application but this time with 40 less homes after seeing it rejected first time around.

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Applicant The Grimbaldeston Farm Trustees and S and N Forshaw now wants to erect a development comprising 275 residential dwellings, a local neighbourhood centre, access arrangements and associated landscaping/wildlife infrastructure, on what has become known as the Grimbaldeston site.

An application has been submitted to Ribble Valley Council.

But Mr Smith, Lancashire County councillor for Longridge with Bowland said the area just can’t cope with any more houses.

“We already have lots of houses being built in the area and if this was to go ahead it would be saturation,” he said.

“There is already a traffic problem in Grimsargh and this would just compound it. The village just couldn’t handle it.

“There’s just no need for these houses - enough is enough.”

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Planning officers rejected the initial application due to it exceeding the planned levels of development in the borough.

And Ribble Valley councillor Mr Hind said: “It’s too much too soon. The area’s infrastructure cannot cope with another increase in homes. I will be attending the planning meeting to oppose this application on behalf of Ribble Valley.”