End of the line as homes plan passed

Members of Fylde Council’s development management committee gave the green light to the proposals for the disused southbound platform at St Annes station, despite concerns from objectors about noise, parking and the impact it would have on the community atmosphere of nearby residential streets.

Access will be provided to the properties at the end of St Annes Road East and Glen Eldon Road, involving the demolition of part of a large red brick boundary wall.

Coun Gail Goodman, who represents the council’s Ashton ward and lives on St Annes Road East, described the area to the committee yesterday as “a very vibrant, unique community”.

She added: “One, where believe it or not, children still play outside.

“We are very concerned, the residents particularly, that this will change very much the community with further traffic and disruption. We need to ask ourselves quite seriously, what better job can we get?

“Is this the best job we can get for our community?”

Four bungalows and a detached two-storey property will now be built on the former southbound platform at St Annes Station.

Moving for recommendation of the scheme, Coun Heather Speak said: “I’ve always thought this was a scruffy piece of land when I come to St Annes and that it would make an ideal parking area, but it’s not materialised.

“I understand neighbours and local councillors are upset but I can’t see any planning reason why this should be refused.”

The station featured a two-track system up until the 1980s, but when the line was reduced to one track, most of the station was demolished and a new ticket office built in 1986, which remains to this day.