COUNCILLORS called for a review of a council’s core strategy after plans to build new bungalows in a rural village.

The Strategic Land Group submitted plans to Ribble Valley Council to build 24 new homes on land off Henthorn Road, Clitheroe, back in May.

The council said that in Longridge and Clitheroe developments of 10 or more houses will need to give affordable housing provision at 30 per cent of units on the site.

There will be seven affordable properties built, including four two bedroom bungalows built and three semi-detached three bedroom houses, which amounts to over 30 per cent of the 24 homes.

The rest of the development will comprise a mix of three or four bedroom detached houses.

A new car and pedestrian access will also be created as part of the ongoing development.

Clitheroe Town Council and residents had previously objected to the application because they were concerned the estate would reach ‘overcapacity’ with houses and vehicles.

A number of Ribble Valley councillors met to discuss the application at the recent planning and development meeting spoke out against the application.

Cllr Ian Brown said: “The way we are going in Clitheroe and in the Ribble Valley we are reaching breaking point, particularly on Henthorn Road.

“There are issues of traffic and speeding and there’s no way I can support it.

“This for me is a bridge too far.”

Clitheroe Mayor Cllr Maureen Fenton, said: “Lancashire County Council say any more development at Henthorn will leave the estate at over capacity.

“The amount of traffic has increased greatly in the area and even the developers said they were surprised by the levels of traffic.”

Cllr Ian Sayers, who is the vice chair of the committee, said: “It seems as if the developer is trying to shove 24 houses onto this piece of land.”

He then asked whether the officer had the ability to reduce the number of bungalows built on the land.

Despite the objections raised by committee members, the planning officer said the reasons cited would not suffice if the case went to appeal.

John Macholc, Ribble Valley Council’s head of planning service, said: “I keep hearing the argument about too many houses being built in the area but we need to have a proper reason to reject this application.

“These sorts of bungalows are affordable housing. Yes it does increase the numbers buy it’s not a good reason to resist development.”

Cllr James Rogerson, who spoke in favour of the application, said: “The core strategy that has been set for the number of houses we need to build is a minimum not a maximum.

“We have to give an appropriate reason to refuse the application.”