A GOVERNMENT Inspector has backed Ribble Valley Council's refusal of planning permission for 50 new homes in Read.

Philip Lewis ruled in favour of the borough after a public hearing.

Applicants The Trustees of Hammond Ground had appealed against the decision by the council's planning committee.

Read and Simonstone ward's Cllr Richard Bennett said: "The views and voices of the people have prevailed and this shows that developers ,no matter how deep their resources cannot ride rough shod over the wishes of the local community"

Cllr Ken Hind, leader of Ribble Council said: "We are delighted about this result.

"The government have to realise that pressurising local authorities to build homes has to be tempered by the need for such homes in the location preferred by landowners and developers. Other Lancashire councils are crying out for homes to be built in their towns , but developers prefer to build on the green meadows of the Ribble Valley ."