CAMPAIGNERS in the Ribble Valley are celebrating after the council’s planning committee unanimously rejected an application to build more than 100 new homes in Longridge.

The proposal sought to build 105 homes as part of a 500-homes strategic site application in Chipping Lane .

Campaigners fought hard against plans to build more homes in the Ribble Valley, and a dedicated Save Longridge group has been fighting against any further ‘excessive development’ in the town.

Campaigners also argued that plans which development companies have submitted to the council have been for the wrong types of housing. A number of Save Longridge campaigners attended the planning meeting and Jeff Seel from Redwood Drive spoke on their behalf ,emphasising the drainage and traffic problems.

All the Longridge councillors were opposed to the development, and Tory councillor Stuart Carefoot seconded the proposal to reject the application at the meeting.

Conservative Coun Ken Hind told the meeting: “This was a community backed campaign supported by Longridge Town Council and thousands of local residents. We need another strategic site of this size, 500 homes in the Ribble valley, like we need a hole in the head.

“Longridge could not cope with this volume of growth.

“The planners pointed out that the cricket club activities would be impeded and new residents would have problems with the nets and cricket activities.

They said the road network could not put up with extra traffic and Barratts refused to make any contribution to help with road improvement costs.

‘’The application had no bungalows for the retired of flats for young people starting on the housing ladder and did not reflect the council‘s housing needs survey for Longridge.’’