VILLAGERS in the Ribble Valley are rallying together against plans for a massive building scheme in their community.

A planning application which would see hundreds of houses, industrial units and offices on the Calderstones Hospital site in Whalley was turned down by borough planners last year.

But, following an appeal from developers, the application has been passed on to the Secretary of State for a public inquiry.

Whalley Methodist Church Hall was packed for a public meeting where residents and campaigners against the scheme began preparations for the Government inquiry which is to start in September.

Mr Dave Tunnicliffe from the Calderstones Re-development Awareness Group said: "Right from the beginning we have accepted that there is to be some development on the Calderstones site.

"What we object to is the scale of that development and we are determined to fight it.

"We do not want the site developed to such an extent that the village loses its identity and local services and schools cannot cope.

"That is what will happen if this plan eventually gets put into action."

Another meeting has been planned for June 26 for an update when a planning consultant will be presenting his brief for the inquiry. Members of the borough planning committee have been invited.

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