Green light given to 520-homes scheme

Almost 520 two to four-bedroom homes will be built on land off Garstang Road East after Wyre Council councillors approved Persimmon’s application on the recommendation of planners.

The scheme attracted objections from scores of neighbours, as well as Wyre MP Ben Wallace, who said new homes are ‘not needed’ and the roads would not be able to cope.

Some 27 five, 160 four, 238 three, and 91 two-bedroom homes are set to be built, of which 30 per cent will be affordable housing, planning documents show.

Concern over traffic, the impact on local amenities, and loss of farmland were all expressed in letters of objection filed with the council.

One neighbour said: “We live on Moorland Road and there is already a considerable amount of traffic, especially at peak times.

“This would be made considerably worse with the introduction of the proposed housing estate.

“The primary and secondary schools are already over-subscribed and this would add to the pressure felt by them.

“Medical practices would not be able to cope with the increasing population and, as such, would put pressure on them, which is unnecessary.”

Planning documents show local roads will be upgraded to deal with the increase in traffic, with two new access roads off Garstang Road East set to be built. Some trees and hedges will be removed, while seven of nine ponds will remain. Another will be built.

Persimmon will also pay £2.28m towards school places at Breck Primary School, Carr Head Primary School, and Millfield Science and Performing Arts College.

A spokeswoman for Wyre Council said the scheme was approved, as recommended by planning officers, pending a legal agreement.