RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has said that he is ‘appalled’ after a plan to construct 504 homes in Barrow was passed by the planning inspectorate.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles MP, Mr Evans said that he ‘cannot fathom how such a decision has been made’.

The Barrow Lands Company Ltd submitted the application to Ribble Valley Borough Council in 2012 and was taken straight to appeal after running out of time to go in front of the planning committee.

The Barrow Community Action Group was formed to oppose the application relating to land at the south-west of Barrow and west of Whalley Road.

The decision comes after 43 homes were approved on the Hanson Garden Centre site in the village recently, but owners have said this is an ‘insurance policy’. A further 102 homes for the village was also recently passed.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has been told to pay costs after losing the appeal and is currently negotiating over the total sum.

In the letter, Mr Evans said: “I was appalled to read that this appeal has been allowed and that 504 homes will now be built on this land.

“I simply do not accept the findings of the department and cannot fathom how such a decision has been made.

“This is an application that I have spoken about personally with both you and the minister. It is opposed by the council, the residents and me, the local MP.

“I simply do not know what definition of localism we stand for if this application is to be an example of the status quo.”

A meeting will be held tonight at The Eagle At Barrow in Clitheroe Road from 8pm to discuss any further action.