Controversial plan for 237 homes is set for go-ahead
PLANS to build hundreds of houses in Burscough look set to be approved tonight despite vocal opposition.
Burscough Town Council, Burscough Flooding Group and two neighbours have submitted objections to the plans to build 267 homes on the Yew Tree Farm site.
But a report prepared for tonight’s meeting of West Lancashire Borough Council’s planning committee has recommended that the application be granted permission.
Approval has already been granted for the principle of using the land for the housing and the latest application will finalise details on house sizes and designs, along with the crucial issues of vehicle and pedestrian access and flood management.
It is the latter issue which has prompted the most anger over the plans and as part of its response, Burscough Flooding Group submitted dozens of photos showing flooding problems in the area surrounding the development site.
The town council argues that the Jacobs Report, which examined the town’s flooding problems and was published in November, must be properly considered before the application is decided.
It also says that uncertainty of the cause of flooding on Crabtree
Lane should be properly examined before any new development in permitted, raising the prospect that Phase 1 development of Yew Tree Farm may be a contributing factor.
The proposal, from Anwyl Homes, includes a mix of one, two, three and four bedroomed, terraced, semi-detached detached houses, apartments and bungalows.
The layout is arranged so that the houses on all boundaries except the southern boundary fronting the existing hedgerow, face out towards public areas.
All homes incorporate private gardens with the exception of a shared garden for the planned six flats and 94 of the homes (35%) will be classed as “affordable”.
The planning committee will meet virtually tonight, with members discussing the application via video links.
The meeting will also be made available live on the council’s website.
In her report to the committee, the council’s director of place and community, Heidi McDougall, wrote: “I consider the layout, scale, proportions and design of the proposed dwellings to be acceptable and the scheme would not adversely impact on neighbouring amenity of surrounding properties.
“I am also satisfied that the scheme will not have a significant impact on highway safety and adequate parking will be provided.
“I consider that sufficient interface distances have been achieved in order to protect neighbouring residential amenity.
“The requisite level of affordable housing has been provided on this phase and drainage proposals are in accordance with the overall strategy for the wider site.”