Decision made on planning move for new homes in Lancashire village

An application for ‘permission in principle’ to build up to nine homes in Preesall has been approved by planners in Wyre.

The proposals involve land off Park Lane in the Over Wyre village.

A planning statement by Lee Fenton Planning services outlined the proposals, which at this stage does not include a full planning application.

The statement, on behalf of Shard Developments Ltd, said: “We are seeking Permission in Principle (PIP) for the erection of up to 9 affordable dwellings on land west of Park Lane, Preesall, Lancashire.

“The National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) provides guidance on matters that are within the scope of a PIP application. The scope is limited to location, land use and amount of development only.

“Other matters, including design, ecology and highways are not relevant for this Stage 1 PIP application.

“The application site is highly sustainable in terms of accessibility and distance to key services and public transport links. The site is in open countryside immediately adjacent to the settlement boundary of Preesall Hill, with good links to Lancaster & Blackpool.”

The statement  said the No. 5c bus (Knott End to Blackpool via Poulton) ran every 30 minutes from early morning to late nights each day and there was a school bus service to Hodgson High School in Poulton the morning and afternoon, while other schools were within walking distance.

Preesall Town Council voiced concerns about the plans and said it couldn’t support them.

The Town Council said in a statement: “There are a number of genuine concerns regarding this development and the council are unable to support this application.

“There are concerns of the impact of additional families to the schools in our area and the Over Wyre Medical Centre.

“The developer states that parking has been allowed for but it is not clear to what extent. If any cars had to be parked on Park Lane this would increase traffic congestion, which is already an issue at peak times on a busy and narrow road.

“The application states that this development is in walking distance to schools and shops but there is no pavement and Park Lane is a very busy road and there are serious safety concerns around this.”

However, in approving the application, the planning officer stated:  “It is in a suitably accessible location. The proposal is therefore acceptable in relation to location and land use.

“The amount of development proposed is not inappropriate for this site. Details will be assessed at the technical details stage. “