PLANS for 150 new homes in Whalley have been announced by a leading house builder.

But campaigners have hit out at the scheme, saying the village is ‘under siege’ from developers.

David Wilson Homes has announced proposals for a mix of housing, including affordable homes and properties for first time buyers and the elderly, on green fields off Mitton Road.

A planning application is due to be made after a period of public consultation on the proposed development, which has been announced by the building company.

The proposals have been made to tie in with Ribble Valley Council’s core strategy for 4,000 new homes in the borough.

Andrew Taylor, planning director at David Wilson Homes North West, said: “We are delighted to launch a public consultation on our proposals for Whalley.

“We are interested in hearing what the community’s views are and I look forward to discussing the plans with residents.

“Our plans will be on display and the development team will be on-hand to answer any queries that people have.

But Nick Walker, chairman of the Save Whalley Village action group, said he was worried that suitable infrastructure, including more school places, was not in place to accommodate the amount of new homes. He said: “Whalley is under siege from developers who want to cash in on lucrative house sales.

“Regeneration is needed in the towns of East Lancashire not in the countryside.

“We want to keep the village as a village which is what attracts visitors to Whalley and ensures a real community for residents.

“We fear for our village, valley and indeed for much of rural England which will be sacrificed to the appetite of developers.

“We shall be using all means at our disposal to object to this development.

The public exhibition is planned for March 23, from 2pm until 6:30pm, at Whalley Methodist Church in King Street.