Giant homes plan wins backing

The development will be constructed on the former GEC Marconi site in Warton, now owned by BAE Systems.

In its application to Fylde Council, BAE Systems Properties said the development would include new access from Lytham Road with a toucan crossing to make the site safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

But the access sparked debate among members of Fylde Development Management Committee, who questioned the access to the site.

Coun Tim Armit said: “There is going to be three sets of traffic lights within 150 yards, that’s going to cause mayhem and chaos.

“You’re going to have 200 cars going one way to the school, and 400 cars going the other way into BAE.”

Coun Peter Collins said he was worried Mill Lane would become an access route into the new development.

But the committee’s vice-chairman, Coun Kevin Eastham, said he and Coun Trevor Fiddler, Fylde Council’s cabinet member for planning and development, had looked at the feasibility of the highway, and there was a need for the new crossing.

But he added that Lancashire County Council had been asked to remove one of the existing sets of lights.

He said: “Without this system we are not going to be able to open this site.”

In a report seen by the committee, Fylde planning officers said the new lights would help take traffic away from Mill Lane.

They said the scheme would also help address Fylde Council’s problems meeting a five-year housing supply, and would bring a brownfield site – land which has already been developed on – back into use.

Councillors on the committee agreed to approve the planning application.

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