Kirkham to get 775 new homes

Fylde Council’s local plan report sets out the authority’s preferred policies on housing, employment, the environment and other matters and allocates strategic development sites.

In effect, it helps decide what areas will have new housing, be used for employment or could be of mixed use between the two.

Two sites in Kirkham and Wesham – in land north of Dowbridge and land north of Mowbreck Lane could be in line for housing developments.

A third site in the Kirkham triangle, north of Blackpool Road, could be of mixed use between houses and employment, while a fourth site, west of Fleetwood Road, could be used for employment purposes.

If the plans are agreed to it is estimated up to 775 new homes could be built before 2030 near Kirkham and Wesham.

Kirkham Coun Peter Hardy said he was “disgusted” at the proposed developments in rural Fylde.

He added: “I think we have enough housing in and around Kirkham as it is. I cannot understand the logic of building near the bypass.

“We have to keep our green belts green.

“We have suggested trying to move these housing proposals further down the A583, but they don’t want to do that. I am disgusted with it all.

“We have enough houses in Kirkham and Wesham and many of these have not been sold. I can think of several developments in Derby Road and Crossing Gates where there are empty properties.”

On Wednesday, a full council meeting will be held to discuss the preferred options for the Fylde Local Plan. If endorsed by councillors, the sites proposed will then be part of an eight-week consultation period starting on June 27, visiting all towns and villages across the borough.

Other sites in Fylde which are part of plans include Queensway and Pontins in St Annes, land near Warton and Whyndyke Farm and land east of Cropper Road towards Blackpool.

Coun Trevor Fiddler, portfolio holder for planning and development, said there were several reasons behind the report’s proposals: “Wesham has had a large amount of housing in recent years but with Kirkham relatively protected. The Government has said to us we have to build more than 7,000 homes up until 2030.

“A lot of people’s concerns have been building on the Kirkham triangle. You can look at it two ways – the parochial view – we do not want any development, or the view that the town is very fragile at the moment with little footfall.

“But if the homes are built, it would increase footfall and the viability of the centre.

“Another factor is Lancashire County Council see Kirkham as a transport centre, with easy motorway access, links to ‘A’ roads and a train line. I understand how people feel upset about potentially building on the Kirkham triangle and five years ago I would have felt the same – but we have to build 7,500 homes somewhere.”

The meeting takes place at the United Reformed Church St George’s Road, St Annes, from 7pm.