Campaigners fighting controversial plans for 99 homes in Carleton hope new council report will halt developers
"These are not speculative concerns invented by an opposition campaigner, these are findings documented by Wyre's own conservation officer."
Objectors to controversial plans to build almost 100 homes on fields in Carleton are hoping fresh conservation concerns could help to scupper the proposals.
The planning application lodged with Wyre Council, to build 99 homes land at The Lane, off Blackpool Road, has so far attracted more than 850 public comments, most of which are objections.
Now Leah Newton, Wyre Council’s Conservation Officer, has raised concerns that the proposed development would result in harm to the significance of Woodhouse Farm, a non-designated heritage asset.
Although the officer makes clear the harm would be “limited”, campaigners hope that these concerns, added to those expressed by the existing objectors and safety concerns raised by Network Rail, will accumulatively strengthen the case against the development, which has yet to go before Wyre’s planning committee.
The applicant is Blackpool Council, which says the proposals are vital to for the housing needs of Poulton-le-Fylde and the wider area.
But campaigners are looking to halt the plans, raising concerns such as destruction of local green space and wildlife habitat, including a herd of roe deer; overdevelopment after hundreds of new homes have been built in the area already; lack of school and GP places to accommodate all the new residents; and road safety concerns.
Earlier this year, Network Rail lodged an objection due to the potential for an increase of risk due to increasing traffic over Carleton Level Crossing.
Now Wyre Council’s conservation officer has submitted a consultation response which raises other concerns.
Resident and campaigner Catherine Carter, who has raised concerns about the loss of habitat, particularly for a local herd of deer, said: "This latest report from Wyre's own Conservation Officer adds further weight to concerns raised by myself and more than 800 other residents.
"The report acknowledges that building on this land would cause harm to the historic setting of Woodhouse Farm, while also highlighting the potential for archaeological remains beneath the site.
"These are not speculative concerns invented by an opposition campaigner, these are findings documented by Wyre's own conservation officer."
CONSERVATION OFFICER'S COMMENTS
Leah Newton stated: “The proposed development would result in harm to the significance of Woodhouse Farm, a non-designated heritage asset, through development within its setting.
“The existing agricultural character of the application site contributes to the ability to understand and appreciate the historic character and function of Woodhouse Farm as a rural farmstead. Its replacement by residential development would weaken this relationship and would diminish this aspect of the asset's significance.
“The development would diminish, rather than entirely remove, the contribution made by the site's agricultural character to the significance of Woodhouse Farm.
“The scale of the resulting heritage harm is therefore considered to be limited. In accordance with Policy HE4, opportunities should be taken to avoid or minimise this harm through the subsequent design of the development.
“Particular consideration should be given to the detailed layout of the site, the separation between new development and Woodhouse Farm, the treatment and landscaping of the intervening space, and the scale, massing, siting and materials of those dwellings.”
Although the officer concludes there is no objection to the principle of the development on built heritage grounds, her report says the identified harm to Woodhouse Farm should be being taken into account and appropriate mitigation made through the detailed design.
Earlier this year there banner waving protests against the plans and Wyre councillors from both Labour and the Conservatives have made their objections clear as well.
APPLICANTS' VIEW
The development has been earmarked for a large area of farmland off The Lane, bounded by Blackpool Road and Blackpool Old Road and to the east of Carleton Crematorium.
The outline application is for residential development of up to 99 dwellings and associated open space, landscaping and infrastructure.
A planning statement concludes: “The proposals would secure a number of benefits which are significant material considerations in favour of the grant of planning permission.
“These include: contributing towards meeting the housing needs of Poulton-le-Fylde and the wider borough in a sustainable location.
“Making a positive contribution towards meeting affordable housing needs, whilst also delivering public open space.
“Environmental benefits, such as biodiversity enhancement, tree and hedge planting / landscaping and the creation of open space, ponds and residential gardens. Economic benefits by helping generate jobs during the construction period.
“The scale of development proposed is in keeping with the scale and function of Poulton-le-Fylde as one of the main towns in the district and there is also no reason why a high quality design could not be secured in line with relevant Development Plan policy.
“Ultimately, when the economic, social and environmental impacts are considered together, the proposals comprise sustainable development and there are no impacts which outweigh the aforementioned benefits.h, outline permission ought to be granted.”