Go ahead for 450 new homes on the edge of Blackpool

Fylde Council’s planning committee has approved two applications for almost 450 houses in total to be built on land between Progress Way, Cropper Road, School Road and Bambers Lane.

But the proposals must still get past the Environment Agency which is being asked to approve a joint flood risk assessment put forward for the land.

Although the site, which is currently used mainly for agriculture and grazing horses, lies within Fylde Council’s planning jurisdiction, it is part of the wider Moss and adjoins Marton Moss.

Developer Wainhomes, which has already built a new estate on the east side of Cropper Road, wants to build a further 350 houses on the west side, while BAK Building Contracts wants to build 99 houses on land east of Bambers Lane.

Both schemes would be served by a new traffic light junction on School Road, as well as access from Cropper Road.

The land is comprised of a mixture of flood plains but the developers believe a pumping station already in place will prevent serious flooding, while the houses would be built above any expected peak water levels.

The Environment Agency, which has previously opposed the applications, is expected to make a decision on the updated flood risk assessment before the end of the year.

If they agree, the applications will be deferred to planning officers to approve, otherwise they will be brought back before the committee.

Westby with Plumpton Parish Council had also objected to the applications on the basis of flood risk, while concerns were also raised that new homes could be affected by noise and odour from the nearby Moss Rose Piggeries on Dickies Lane, which houses around 2,500 pigs.

Stephen Woodhouse, chairman of the Marton Moss Forum, warned the area was part of a flood plain and said School Road was already congested at peak times without adding further traffic.

He said: “Everybody thinks building these houses is a bad idea because it’s on a flood plain and traffic movements will be huge on what is already a busy road.

“It will be especially bad when the school goes back. It’s a nightmare waiting to happen.

“It’s on a flood plain, and we’re not supposed to be building on flood plains. They will build the level up for the houses, but the water still has to go somewhere.”

A report to Fylde’s planning committee says wider road improvements including the construction of a new link road from the back of St Annes and good links through Whitehills Business Park will help ease any increased traffic flow.

Improvements are also expected where School Road meets Common Edge Road as part of development of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Fylde planners admit “the development will have a negative impact on the character of the area, but it is considered that the degree of harm will be acceptable.”

In the report they say the schemes are “considered to form sustainable development”, and add “regarding flooding and drainage, the applicants have submitted comprehensive data and an FRA (flood risk assessment) on how flood risk can be managed at the site”.

The Marton Moss Forum is currently compiling a neighbourhood plan to control development within its Blackpool boundaries. To take part in consultation go to its website at https://www.martonmossforum.org/