Firm to appeal after 122-home plan is rejected

JONATHAN GRIEVE

AN appeal has been lodged after borough planners threw out an application for more than 100 new homes at a fishery.

Windmill Rise SPV had applied for permission to build 122 homes at Devine Fisheries on Broad Oak Road last year.

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson supported the application and said action needed to be taken to try and stimulate growth and reverse population decline in the borough.

However, planning committee members voted to turn down permission for the controversial site between Baxenden and Accrington.

Dozens of objections had been received against the proposal, which included 50 three-bed homes, 43 four-bed homes and 29 properties available under affordable housing provisions.

Fears were raised about the impact the development would have on wildlife in the area as well as traffic problems and pressures on schools in the area.

Members cited fears over loss of green space and converting a rural part of Hyndburn into an urban area.

Now bosses from Windmill Rise SPV hope Government planning inspectors will overturn the council’s decision and allow the development to go ahead.

The site was historically part of the Broad Oak Printworks and features two remaining reservoirs used for fisheries, as well as two redundant landfill sites.

Chris Betteridge, of town planners Depol on behalf of Windmill Rise SPV, said: “This application was submitted following pre-application discussions with the LPA. The pre-application meeting with officers was positive and on this basis the appellant proceeded with the preparation of a planning application for the site.

“Some months after the pre-application meeting a written response was received which did not reflect the advice given at the meeting.

“However, given progress made with the preparation of the application the decision was made to proceed with the submission.

“Hyndburn Council essentially refused permission for the development because the site was located outside of the settlement boundary with poor accessibility and it was considered that the development would have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the countryside.

“Impact on the landscape is limited and does not demonstrably and significantly outweigh the benefits of the appeal proposal.”

Case officer Nadia Hussain will receive evidence from all parties at a hearing to determine whether the decision to refuse permission will be overturned.

A date and location for the hearing has yet to be confirmed.

All comments from interested parties must be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by October 30.