A RURAL MP has called on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to visit his constituency, which, he claims, is being gobbled up by developers.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, has established a taskforce to stave off development in countryside areas in his constituency.

He has set up the first in a series of planning assessment taskforces to fight housing developments in the villages of Whittingham, Goosnargh and Grimsargh, near Preston, in his Ribble Valley constituency.

But he also plans to launch similar schemes in villages in the Ribble Valley borough also targeted by house builders.

And now he is calling on John Prescott to visit the area to see for himself how the countryside is being gobbled up.

The MP said: "If he comes he will be able to see for himself the fear of local people that their area is becoming over-developed and over-intensified.

"If John Prescott is to abide by his claim that local democracy should have an influential voice in local planning decisions, then he should come and listen to the opposition that exists against proposed development in these villages."

Thousands of new homes have been built in the Ribble Valley over the past few years, with developments in Barrow so big that the village doubled in size.

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