RESIDENTS in Tosside have voiced their concern over rumours that affordable housing is to be built in the village without proper consultation.

Parish councillor Barbara Houghton, who sits on the Ribblebanks Parish Council for Wigglesworth, Rathmell and Halton West, said several people had approached her for information because she lived near the Tosside boundary with Wigglesworth.

"I haven't actually heard anything as Tosside comes under a different council to the one I cover. However, I have spoken to some residents who said they had not received a questionnaire which is said to have been circulated in the village and surrounding area," said Mrs Houghton.

Christina Taylor, speaking on behalf of Ribble Valley Council - the local authority which covers Tosside - said a housing needs survey had been carried out in conjunction with Gisburn Forest Parish Council.

She said the borough council had undertaken surveys in eight other villages within the Ribble Valley as part of its remit to address the lack of affordable local housing within the area.

She said a survey had been carried out in Tosside following an approach from a planning agent on behalf of a local landowner.

"Their request was put forward in order to identify whether there was a definite need in the village," she explained.

Miss Taylor added that any planning application for affordable housing would have to go through the borough council's planning committee.

No application has been lodged with the council to date.