A HOUSING plan that will dictate how many houses can be built in the Ribble Valley is set to be ruled on by the government in January.

Ribble Valley Borough Council’s ‘Core Strategy’ will be examined by a planning inspector at the council chambers in Clitheroe from Tuesday, January 14, to Friday, January 24.

The process is open to the public who have been asked to notify the inspectorate's programme officer detailing which session or sessions they wish to attend.

The council has said that 5,000 houses could be built in the borough over the next five years if the plans are signed off by the government.

The examination in public will take place in the Ribble Valley Borough Council chambers in Church Street, Clitheroe, with sessions scheduled to start at 9am and 2pm.

The deadline for the submission of written statements responding to the Inspector's Schedule of Matters and Issues paper is noon on Monday, January 6.

Further information is available from programme officer Michelle Haworth on 07896 064236 or Core Strategy Public Examination Information.