Villagers' fears over green belt homes approval

Story Homes have been given the go-ahead to build almost 90 homes on land off Willow Drive in Wrea Green, and have promised a mix of terraced, semi-detached, and detached properties, with some specifically earmarked as affordable homes.

John Maskell, chairman of Ribby With Wrea Parish Council, said: “We objected to the development when it was submitted and also at appeal after it was initially turned down.

“We felt it didn’t fall into our ideas for the village’s future under our Neighbourhood Plan, with two key factors behind our concerns.

“One was the fact that it intrudes on open countryside to the Kirkham end of the village. We feel it would be better for development to be carried out in radial fashion from the area of The Green rather than at the edge of the village and further erode the green belt.

“The second factor is the mix of homes. We realise that, along with other areas of Fylde, new development is inevitable, but we feel Wrea Green would really benefit from starter homes which young families are able to buy rather than rent as well as some bungalows into which people can downsize.

“We have long been concerned at how larger executive homes tend to dominate plans.”

Story Homes will also give around £200,000 towards secondary school places, and £150,000 towards maintaining the local bus route.

Traffic calming measures will be installed on Willow Drive, while a zebra crossing will be place in Ribby Road.

Story’s David Hayward said: “Wrea Green is a sought-after area and a great location offering the best of rural living with Blackpool and Preston both a short drive away.”