Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans says the Haweswater Aqueduct programme planning application should be called-in by a secretary of state to make a decision
Ribble Valley Council's planning committee is due to meet this Thursday, March 9, to decide on the application. Currently, borough planning officers are recommending councillors to defer and delegate it to the borough's director of economic development and planning for approval, following a legal agreement within six months; or for the director and a top councillor to handle it, if the process goes beyond six months. Many conditions are suggested to councillors.
The MP said: “This is an enormous project which will not directly benefit the residents of the Ribble Valley in any way. Whilst no one would wish to stop the people of Manchester getting access to water, we must ensure that we do not permanently scar the incredible Forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty. Unfortunately, this is likely if it goes ahead in its original plan.
“The protection of areas of outstanding natural beauty is enshrined in law. Development should only ever be considered as a last option for essential infrastructure projects. I am not convinced that all options have been properly considered and I have therefore asked the Secretary of State to call-in this application so it gets consideration at the highest level.”Conservative Coun Ged Mirfin, a borough and county councillor, said: " "Much of the information is missing.
"I cannot understand the urgency or the rush to approve this project when there are so many gaps in the information provided to councillors. There are question marks over so many critical issues especially those raised by the
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