69 homes approved
PLANS to build 69 homes near an Oswaldtwistle primary school have been approved, along with a sixfigure cash injection for green spaces.
Hyndburn council’s planning committee approved proposals lodged by Persimmon Homes to build the development on land off Thwaites Road near to White Ash Primary School.
As part of the conditions allowing the development to go ahead, Persimmon must stump up £116,583 towards off-site open space contributions.
The scheme includes provision for 28 three-bed homes and 27 four-bed properties. There will also be three two-bed properties and 11 three-bed homes available under social renting housing. The land is currently a greenfield site and is used for grazing for ponies in the area. The site is adjacent to the White Ash Brook Greenway public footpath which has been incorporated into proposals
Fourteen letters of objection were raised against the development citing environmental impact, parking and traffic concerns.
Liz Thornber, the council’s principal planning officer, told the meeting that in order to try and mitigate parking concerns, discussions were held with the school and a plan was suggested to Lancashire county council (LCC) to build a new staff car park for between 45 and 80 spaces on the school site.
However, LCC failed to respond to the suggestion so configuration of the estate was changed to limit the impact on Thwaites Road by moving car parking for some properties to a rear courtyard area
Kevin Farrington, of Persimmon Homes, said: “We have worked very hard to try and come up with a scheme for this site that works for everyone concerned. We feel the delivery of this scheme will add to the area. It develops a site available for use and offers affordable homes in the area.”
St Andrew’s ward councillor Stewart Eaves, said: “I think this development is just what Oswaldtwistle needs.”
The £116,583 will be spent on open spaces in Knuzden or on the Rhyddings project where work has been carried out within Rhyddings Park to restore the coach house and create a kitchen garden.
A statement by Persimmon said: “The site at Thwaites Road is in an ideal location to help Hyndburn borough council to meet its annual housing targets.