Planners reject bid to build 120-home estate
BURSCOUGH residents have won their fight against a proposal to build more than 100 homes in the town.
Plans had been submitted to build 124 houses on the land north of Meadowcroft and had been recommended for approval in report prepared by planning officers from West Lancashire Borough Council.
But the council’s planning committee decided against that recommendation last Thursday night.
Residents had expressed concern over the proposal, raising issues with the use of land which had previously been safeguarded from development – and whether it would lead to increased flooding in the area.
Planners agreed, ruling that the land was unsuitable for use as housing.
Welcoming the outcome, Burscough West councillor Andrew Pritchard said: “The application was refused on the grounds of the safeguarding of the land issue because it isn’t complying with our local plan.
“Councillors are very aware of our responsibilities, especially with a development like this because it is an emotive issue.”
The council’s notice on the decision states: “The proposal conflicts with policies SP3 and GN2(b)(i) of the West Lancashire Local Plan and the Yew Tree Farm Masterplan SPD in that it would result in residential development on land safeguarded for development beyond 2027 and would therefore prejudice the phased delivery of housing land.”
A separate application to build 66 homes at Briars Lane was put through for approval at the same planning meeting.
The plans are for a combination of 24 three-bed houses and 30 four-bed houses and a block of flats containing 12 twobedroom homes.
The homes are described as “high quality” by developer Taylor Wimpey and will be built following the demolition of the derelict warehouses currently on the site.
A row of trees lining the site and the neigbouring canal will also be removed to make way for the houses.