Network Rail & Wyre Borough Council issue important updates to ongoing Carleton 90-home development plan
The controversial application was submitted to Wyre Council in December 2024 and has been debated ever since.
Network Rail and Wyre Borough Council have responded to claims that a controversial 99-home housing development in Carleton could be abandoned over rail safety concerns.
Claims that the development could be axed due to railway issues were made by Jan Schofield, County Councillor for Cleveleys South and Carleton, in a Facebook post shared on Monday 3 August.
The Facebook post read: “I have strongly objected to this application from the outset on a number of issues. However, I also note that Network Rail have objected to this application. This is due to safety issues regarding the impact on Carleton Level Crossing which already has a high level of traffic use. They state that additional traffic should be strongly discouraged.
“Consequently due to Network Rail’s objection it is now unlikely that this development will go ahead.”
A spokesperson from National Rail reiterated their objections to The Gazette, but confirmed that no further information could be shared at this time: “Network Rail is objecting to this proposal - due to the potential for an increase of risk due to increasing traffic over Carleton Level Crossing.
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“The crossing is already one of our busiest, and due to the existing barrier down time, level of usage, and instances of blocking back, any additional traffic would be strongly discouraged from a crossing safety and operational perspective.
“Until the planning process is complete, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to say anything more about this particular application.”
Wyre Borough Council confirmed that the application was proceeding as normal, and that no update had been made on the future of the housing development. A spokesperson said: “This planning application is still in the assessment stage.
“Network Rail have been consulted on the application as a statutory consultee, and have responded raising concerns in relation to the potential impacts of increased risk at Carleton Level Crossing.
“The applicant is seeking to address the observations from all consultees, and the application will be presented at the earliest possible Planning Committee.”