Villagers raise concerns over plans for bungalows
VILLAGERS are battling plans for an estate of bungalows to be built on a former orchard.
Under plans submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council, ten affordable homes could be built on the land off Becconsall Road in Hesketh Bank. But opposition has been registered from neighbours who have raised concerns over issues including flooding, traffic and additional strain on health services.
Torus, a partnership of social housing providers, is behind the plans and says that a total of 20 sites were considered for the development before the plans were submitted. The group has ambitious plans to build at least 5,300 new homes over the next five years for affordable rent, future home ownership, private rent and outright sale.
The application has been made subject of a call-in from Cllr Iain Ashcroft, meaning a decision will be made by the council’s planning committee at a public meeting amid numerous objections from local residents.
Among those to complain, Hesketh Bank resident Dawn Foster wrote: “(The) proposed development is supposedly for the elderly. Yet what can Hesketh Bank offer to them?
“Transport links are poor – no train line. Bus route to Southport and Preston but not a direct one to Ormskirk. No direct public transport links to the ‘local’ hospitals in Southport or Ormskirk or to the medical walk-in centres in Ormskirk or Skelmersdale.
“No doctors or dentists in the village – nearest are in Tarleton but both are oversubscribed and many residents, myself included, have to travel to Banks and Southport to access basic medical requirements. The elderly living on this site would need a car. There is now no longer a local pub (now a housing estate), just one restaurant.
“It used to be a scenic village, which is why many moved here, but now it is becoming the size of a town but without any of the basic or social amenities. Is there really a demand for this type of housing in Hesketh Bank?”
The application states: “The proposed development will make a valuable contribution towards achieving the council’s vision and Strategic Housing Objectives to meet the housing needs of older people in West Lancashire as well as supporting the Government’s objective to significantly boost the supply of housing nationally.”
It adds: “We believe this scheme provides sensitive, high quality homes that meet local and national planning policy guidance, and have taken on board the council’s aspirations with regards to:
Planning and highways guidance
Social, economic and environmental considerations
Sustainable development objectives
Landscape and visual impact considerations
“We are confident that the proposed scheme will provide a high quality development, which will complement and reinforce the local distinctiveness and character of the area and help in creating a more inclusive and sustainable community.”
WHAT do you think? Email our Letters page at: seftoncommunities@trinitymirror.com