100 homes plan rejected

The Green at Wrea Green showing the Dub with the church in the background / view

The scheme, by Story Homes, for 100 properties to the rear of Willow Drive in Wrea Green, was rejected by 14 councillors at a Fylde Council planning meeting yesterday.

Councillors raised concerns about the impact the homes would have on drainage, its size, its suitability and the capacity for Ribby with Wrea School to take on more pupils if the development was agreed.

Wrea Green Coun Frank Andrews said recent applications passed in the village totalled close to 130 homes and warned, if this plan was given the go-ahead, it could see the village increase in size by close to 40 per cent.

He added: “We have 54 houses in Richmond Avenue, 44 in North View Farm, 25 in Bryning Lane and five in Ribby Road.

“This application for a  further 100 homes is way above a reasonable scale.

“The school is near capacity while there is concern in United Utilities about the drainage system.”

The scheme involved the demolition of a property on Willow Drive, which would be the access point for the development to land behind.

But neighbours said access was poor and the development unsustainable.

More than 30 residents contacted Fylde Council to complain about the proposal.

A spokesman for Story Homes said the development would have provided “much needed” affordable homes, of which there was a “chronic shortage” across the Fylde borough area.

He added: “We are disappointed that the development management committee has decided not to support our plans for new homes in Wrea Green. Our high-quality scheme would have complemented the existing character of the village and provided open space that could be enjoyed by the whole community.

“Our proposals would also have helped Fylde Borough Council boost the supply of much needed new homes and would have contributed to the supply of affordable housing, of which there is a chronic shortage in the borough.

“In addition, the proposed development would have had a positive impact on the local economy by providing local contractors with opportunities to tender for work, with knock-on benefits for local supply chains and other local businesses and services.”