Residents raise concerns over new housing plans
COUNCIL planning officers have been given delegated powers to allow demolition work and construction of 54 new homes at a former container-tank factory site in Burscough, once more wildlife checks have been done.
Councillors on West Lancashire Council’s Planning Committee have delegated final decision-making to planning officers, once ecology studies have been completed at the former Universal Bulk Handling site in Orrell Lane.
Trees, hedges and bat habitats are considered in planning applications and mentioned in reports for the Burscough site.
Applicants Prospect GB Ltd and Baxi Partnership Ltd are seeking planning permission to demolish the old factory buildings and then build 54 new homes.
According to a report by a tree expert sent to West Lancashire Borough Council, there are 16 individual trees and two hedges within ‘influencing distance’ of the Burscough application site.
Most trees are on the eastern and southern boundaries, and some are on neighbouring land.
Trees within the site are mainly small and several are in poor condition, the expert has reported.
Any effects of redevelopment could be mitigated, the arborist states.
New planting is proposed, including 33 new trees.
The development could ultimately create more tree cover.
Tree protection measures can be put in place during demolition and building work.
The five-acre disused site on the west of Burscough was once used to manufacture tank-containers for transporting bulk liquids and gases. But it ceased trading in December 2019.
It has been vacant and available for sale since January 2020.
Some households nearby had recently raised concerns about potential contamination from asbestos, gas or concrete dust during the factory demolition work, along with noise and a loss of privacy in future.
However, West Lancashire planning officers believe environmental health, contamination and risk assessment work will ensure the demolition is done safely.
The scheme was originally due to be decided in March this year but was deferred to allow for updates on car access, parking and pedestrian links.
Planning officers recommended approval of the scheme.
The proposed new homes would be a mix of 24 threebedroom and 30 four-bedroom properties.
A report to councillors on the Planning Committee stated: “This site is highly sustainable for housing, being within easy walking distance of Burscough centre. The loss of an employment site is acceptable in that the redevelopment for residential use offers the most effective use of the land in-line with the national planning policy, outweighing any conflict with other factors.”
Lancashire County Council, which has responsibility for roads, believes the proposed new homes would lead to fewer car and HGV lorry visits to the site, in comparison with its industrial use, councillors were told.
Informal open space is to be provided alongside the canal with new trees and plants, footpath links and four benches. A flood risk assessment was done as part of the planning application.
The risks were described as low or very low, and the site was seen as suitable for building.
Regarding surface water, the assessment stated there was some minor surface flooding on site, though this was below 30cm in depth.
Canal water ‘overtopping’ or a breach of the embankment was unlikely but would lead to immediate flooding of the site, if it happened. The canal overflow is to be retained but will be diverted, the assessment stated.