THE go-ahead to build 20 holiday chalets in the Ribble Valley has been given by Lancashire County Council.

The sdevelopment control sub-committee renewed planning permission for a holiday chalet development with reception and restaurant buildings at Green Bank Quarry, Old Clitheroe Road, Longridge.

The plans were approved by Ribble Valley Borough Council, despite the development being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and county councillors backed that decision.

The application was originally approved in 1998 and involved building 30 chalets.

The report to the committee said the application went against planning policies, which are designed to conserve areas of natural beauty by restricting building developments.

But it added: "The original 1998 approval was for the development of 30 chalets. Clearly a reduction in the amount of built development will lessen conflicts with those policies designed to protect the open nature of the countryside."