The developer had lodged an appeal following Ribble Valley Borough Council's refusal of its 190-home proposals last year. Pickles allowed the appeal following a recommendation by a planning inspector.
He said in his decision notice that the Council's lack of a five year housing supply weighed "significantly" in favour of the appeal.
Pickles noted that, although the scheme's effect on the character and appearance of meant there was "limited conflict" with local policy, that conflict fell "far short" of suggesting that the development would be unacceptably harmful.
"The housing policies in the development plan are out of date, the proposal would provide a substantial amount of much needed market and affordable housing and the lack of a five year housing land supply weighs significantly in favour of the appeal," said the SoS.
He concluded that the planning balance fell "strongly in favour" of the proposals and that they accorded with the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework, including the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
