Decision due on mammoth 250-home development on Fylde coast countryside

A huge planning application for a residential development of up to 250 homes on a greenfield site in rural Fylde is due to go before planners next week.

Developers Taylor Wimpey are proposing to build the homes on land north of Weeton Road in Wesham.

The outline planning application for the houses and associated infrastructure is due to go before Fylde Council’s planning committee on Wednesday November 11.

Committee members will need to consider the local housing needs, set against concerns that the development site in question is outside land designated for housing in the Local Plan. Special weight is given to matters relating to a council’s ability to deliver a five year supply of housing.

The recommendation is that authority be delegated to the Service Director for Planning and Building Control to grant planning permission, subject to various stipulations and also planning conditions.

These stipulations include a Section 106 agreement that the developers make contributions to local health care, bus provision and agreement that 30 per cent of the houses are affordable.

A total of 33 representations have been received in connection with the application, of which 28 are in objection, three have declared no stance and two are in support.

The planning officer’s report states: “The application seeks outline planning permission (with access only) for a residential development of up to 250 dwellings on the land.

“The site is outside any of the settlements identified in the Development Plan.

“As the proposal does not satisfy any of the categories identified in the Fylde Local Plan (FLPPR policy GD4) where development is permitted within the countryside, it is in conflict with that policy.

“However, as the council is unable to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing sites, FLPPR policies GD4 and S1 are considered to be materially inconsistent with the National Planning Policy Framework and “should be given very limited weight”.

Objectors argue that residential development for a lesser number of homes on this site has been refused previously for several reasons. They say this sets a precedent for refusal and there is no reason why the decision should be different for this proposal.

They also point out that the current Local Plan runs to 2032 and designates this site as countryside which is not suitable for development. It is not allocated within the current Local Plan as a housing site.

Opponents say the site comprises prime agricultural land which is actively used for both arable and livestock farming and that this would be lost permanently at a time it should be preserved for food security.

They also argue that any affordable housing should have a mandated clause that it is reserved for local residents, as it does not benefit the area unless the housing is made for locals of the town.

Councillors will debate the issue before voting on how to proceed.