A WHALLEY councillor has said it is essential that planning applications are properly re-examined after floods devastated the village.

Cllr Terry Hill, deputy leader of Ribble Valley Council, spoke out after the borough’s MP Nigel Evans branded decisions to allow building on floodplains ‘absolutely bonkers’ in Parliament.

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Cllr Hill said he agreed with Mr Evans but said the main issues lie within the River Calder and the watercourses that run through the village.

He said: “There’s a planning application people keep referring to for 37 bungalows and 40 retirement apartments on Accrington Road. It only has outline planning permission and that site was not flooded recently.

“I was amazed when I heard the application was given the go ahead, but it is only outline planning permission. I know the Environment Agency are going to look again at the site to see if building is possible.

“In my view it is essential planning applications are properly examined, especially in relation to surface water management.”

However, he said looking at potential drainage issues was also paramount to prevent more serious flooding.

He said: “The main issues in Whalley are the River Calder and the drainage and maintenance of the watercourses in the village.

The floods devastated the village on Boxing Day causing damage for dozens of homes and businesses. Mr Evans has called for a review of flood defences.

He said in Parliament: “Building on floodplains is absolutely bonkers and clearly, we do need a review of the flood defences.