£46m housing development gets go-ahead on appeal

Work is set to start on a £46m housing development on the former Penwortham Mills site near Preston after an inspector approved access plans for the site on appeal.

South Ribble Council approved an application by Bovis Homes to develop 385 homes on the former Vernon Carus factory in August 2015.

However, on approving the development the council rejected plans for a new access roundabout on Leyland Road to the new housing.

Bovis Homes and its consultants national planning and development firm Lichfields suggested two alternatives.

But when these were also rejected by the council they appealed at a public inquiry presided over by planning inspector Martin Whitehead. This week he ruled the developers could proceed with the original plans on Leyland Road.

Brian O’Connor, associate director at the Manchester office of Lichfields, formerly Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, said: “We are delighted to have secured permission for this development.

“The council refused permission for two alternative access arrangements onto Leyland Road and the Inspector effectively allowed the removal of the restrictive condition and the granting of permission for the development of one of the two access arrangements.”

Lichfields said the development will generate 450 jobs over the course of the development and boost the Local Authority purse by way of additional Council Tax and New Homes Bonus payments.

Bovis Homes hope to start work on the first stage later this year and this will include 189 homes which will be a mix of property types including affordable and family homes.

This will be followed by a second and third phase comprising of 204 homes, with the provision of associated infrastructure, including; roads, footpath, cycleways and open space.  

The development will also secure the long-term future of the Vernon Carus Sports Club and Bovis Homes will provide the club with a financial contribution towards capital projects at the facility.  The Lake Wood Reservoir will also be retained and enhanced as part of the development.

Connor added: “The council had wanted the site to be accessed from the Cross Borough Link Road, but this has not yet been constructed.”  

The appeal was made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.