Preston poised to reject major housing plans
PLANNING officers in Preston are recommending two schemes for a total of 680 houses are knocked back by councillors next week.
Redrow Homes wants to build up to 330 houses on 35 acres of agricultural land at Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood. The proposal is the first phase of a larger plan for 800 houses, a school and shops.
To the west at Cottam, CEG Land Promotions, part of London-based developer Commercial Estates Group, is applying to build 350 homes on a 50-acre rural site at Sidgreaves Lane.
Both proposals have attracted opposition from nearby residents and local parish councils who oppose the loss of rural land and fear greater congestion. Local MP Ben Wallace has also thrown his weight behind their campaigns.
Planning officers at Preston City Council have opposed both plans on congestion grounds.
A report prepared ahead of the city’s planning committee on April 8 said of the Redrow scheme: “It is considered that the poor quality design concept of the proposed development and the severe residual impact that the proposed development would have upon the highway network would, despite the lack of a five year supply of deliverable housing sites, significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposed development when assessed against the Framework taken as a whole.”
Redrow is already planning an appeal on the grounds the application was not determined within 13 weeks. It will be the subject of a public inquiry in July.
