Wyre village set to see 90 new homes

Planners at the borough council have given developer Metacre the thumbs up for a new neighbourhood at farm land to the east of Copp Lane in Great Eccleston.

Their decision came despite letters of objection being lodged, which cited concerns over traffic, impact on amenities, and the loss of green belt.

Ian Henderson, of Chesham Lodge, wrote: “The development represents accomodation for a further nearly 10 per cent of the village’s population, which the present infrastructure cannot cope with.”

Edward Thistlewaite OBE, the chairman at Great Eccleston Cricket Club, said in his objection: “We are built on a solid committee that has developed the facilities at the picturesque Hall Lane ground, set in the middle of a beautiful agricultural countryside that abuts this application site.

“There were the general concerns about the visual effect such an estate would have on the cricket ground and the strain it would put on the general village facilities. These concerns will I am sure be voiced by many local residents but we can also see why Great Eccleston is such an attractive proposition for developers.”

Thirty per cent of the two to five bedroom semi-detached and detached homes will be affordable housing, planning papers revealed, while 45 parking spaces are planned.

In documents, Metacre’s agent De Pol Associates said:

“The proposals will secure a wide range of benefits for both the borough and community.

“This includes a contribution towards meeting the borough’s housing requirements including affordable housing needs, securing growth and employment during the construction period, and the creation of public open space.

“The provision of a public car park will also help to alleviate parking congestion along Great Eccleston High Street, while also providing an alternative and convenient place for visitors to park with easy access into the centre.”