RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has welcomed a minister’s visit to the borough as a ‘fantastic opportunity’.

Planning minister Nick Boles visited the borough last week and held a series of meeting with councillors and residents’ action groups.

He announced the council would get increased support from planning inspectors after its core strategy was approved by the government.

Mr Evans said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for the people of the Ribble Valley to put their case directly to the Minister responsible.

“I hope the Minister took on board the case presented to him by councillors and action groups, who represent a majority of the opinion in the Ribble Valley, which must remain the rural and semi-rural area that it is. Planning should be a local issue, and therefore it should be the local community’s voice which holds the most weight.”