Decision is in on controversial housing scheme at Normoss in Poulton

A controversial scheme to build five affordable homes on greenbelt land on the edge of Poulton has been approved by planners.

The outline planning application was for the erection of five affordable, rented homes at The Stone Centre, with access applied for, at 18A Normoss Road in Normoss.

Proposals the removal of hardstanding and the demolition of an existing building, prior to the development.

A number of objections were lodged with planners, and Hardhorn with Highcross ward member, Cllr Roger Berry, requested the application be brought before the planning committee so that various concerns could be discussed.

The application went before Wyre’s planning committee on Wednesday January 7, when councillors debated the proposal before voting to approve it.

An indicative site layout has been submitted which shows one dwelling fronting towards Normoss Road with the other four dwellings set perpendicular projecting northwards, with rear gardens backing on to the eastern site boundary

It is now anticipated that a more detailed application will be submitted by the applicant, listed as Mr Neale Daniels.

Residents had raised concerns that new housing should not be built on greenbelt land, that the development would be detrimental to the character of the area and that the loss of the natural vegetation and drainage would impact on existing residents.

But councillors went along with recommendations by the planning officer, who felt that the merits of the scheme – namely the provision of affordable housing – outweighed the concerns.

The planning officer stated in his report: “The development is considered to have an acceptable impact in terms of residential amenity, highways safety, drainage, ecology and landscaping.

“Some visual harm has been identified in respect of the character of the existing area, however the application would deliver a small number of affordable rented housing.

“This benefit would carry some weight and on balance, would outweigh the visual harm identified. “

After the meeting, Cllr Berry said: “I think it was right to bring this application to the committee, given the various concerns, and have the issues properly debated.

“Having said that, after looking at the plans and the background, I can see that there is a need for affordable rented property in the Normoss area.

“The site is a semi-derelict stonemason’s business which is no longer in use, so I think that this housing scheme will help tidy up the area.

“Given that it’s only a small development, I don’t think it will have a detrimental effect on the open land in the area.”

Cllr Berry said that he hoped the full plans would alter one of the designs so that one of the houses was face-on to Normoss Road rather than side-on, so that it would match other properties in the area.