RIBBLE Valley Council have been told to block plans to wreck the area's beauty with wind farms, waste incinerators, housing and quarrying.

Local MP Nigel Evans has made an impassioned plea for action to prevent the valley being covered in concrete.

He has told the council to curb their planning ambitions and use the planning process to preserve the valley for tourists and future generations.

The Tory backbencher spoke at the Ribble Valley District Wide Local Plan Inquiry.

Afterwards, he said: "I have urged the council to be more protective towards this beautiful piece of countryside which we all love.

"For example, I have warned them that the proposed wind turbines on Longridge Fell will scar the countryside.

"And when the effects of the present quarrying at Sawley and all the proposed extra housing, which we do not need, are added up, we will find that we have paid a very heavy price for short-term profit.

"I also told them that under no circumstances should Castle Cement ever become a waste incineration plant, and I will fight to prevent this happening. "The council has a responsibility to the area which it should do its best to protect.

"If we see a massive tidal wave of concrete swamp the area, then the tourists will go elsewhere.

"I finally urged them to protect the Forest of Bowland which is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole country, and which is after all, the area to which the Queen wants to retire.

"Tourism should be self-sustaining but the money and jobs it has the potential to provide, will not materialise if this building frenzy is not stopped dead in its tracks.

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