ANGRY residents protesting about housing plans in the Ribble Valley have formed an action group to protect their rural surroundings.

The Save Whalley Village Action group has been formed by residents amid concerns about the Ribble Valley being 'swamped with new housing developments'.

It comes after developers the Co-operative Group submitted plans for 80 new homes on land to the north of Ridding Lane, Whalley, to Ribble Valley Borough Council this week.

And in September the Core Strategy was launched by the council outlining the need to create at least 161 homes per year in the borough.

Whalley resident Nick walker is spearheading the group which has distributed 1,300 leaflets against plans to build new houses He said: “The infrastructure in Whalley cannot support any more houses.

The roads are already too busy and there aren’t any school places for the children. It is just madness to keep allowing housing developments.

“The developers are using the proposals in the core strategy to back up their planning applications.

“They know that they can sell houses here because people want to live here. They are turning our rural valley into a housing estate.”

In November, developer Geoge Wimpey was given the go-ahead to build 39 homes in Calderstones Park, Pendle Road, by planning chiefs.

And in May this year, Cumbria-based developers New Close Properties was granted permission for 70 new homes, a nursery and a learning centre, in Barrow Brook.

Another application to build a further 64 homes in Barrow Brook has also been submitted by Leyland-based developers Rowland Homes Limited and is set to be considered by members of the planning committee.

Whalley councillor, Joyce Holgate, said: “The sheer strength of feeling against massive housing developments has been shown by residents and until the infrastructure is sorted out there should be no more building of new homes."

Michael Ranson, leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, said the council was prepared to discuss residents’ concerns.

He added: “There has already been good dialogue between ourselves and Whalley residents about the core strategy and I have great sympathy with them."