Why we’re fighting plans to build 79 homes in our village

Residents in an Over Wyre village are fighting against plans to build 79 new homes on a greenfield site.

The proposals for the affordable homes in Stalmine have been lodged with Wyre Council by applicants Maybern Planning and Development, on behalf of Westchurch Homes.

They are proposing to develop land off Stricklands Lane, on a parcel of greenfield land measuring 2.3ha, that fronts Stricklands Lane on the immediate southern edge of the village.

The applicants argue that the plans will offer vital affordable housing, new jobs and support local businesses.

But opponents of the plans say it will ruin an unspoilt greenfield site which is home to precious wildlife, including the protected Great Crested Newt, where its DNA evidence has been discovered in a pond.

There are also flooding concerns, highway worries and biodiversity issues.

Resident Andrew Mercer,  71, whose quiet country home at aptly-named Meadow View lies uncomfortably close to the development site, said: “There are so many issues.

“Stricklands Lane gets really busy. There are no passing places so the traffic builds up behind buses – as many as 16 cars behind a bus

“Anyone trying to cross this road would be taking their life in their hands.

“According to the site plans, there is a two metre wide pavement coming off the development which goes round this busy road to meet up with the existing pavement.

“But the pavement is very narrow and I have this vision of a gang of school kids, all going to catch the bus, jostling with each other. They’d be in the road within a second. It’s as dangerous road.

“We have Great Crested Newts, kestrels and owls here – whatever happened to protecting greenfield sites?

“The land also has a serious flood risk, especially during the winter months.

“It is just not a good place to build 79 houses and we are determined to fight it.”

Stalmine-with-Staynall Parish Council are also objecting and say planning applications are being allowed without the proper provisions such as schools, GP surgeries or highway considerations.

The applicants argue that the plans should be approved immediately because they are the right fit on social, economic and environmental grounds.

But the parish council, like the residents, argues they will be highly detrimental to the village.

The proposals are expected to go before Wyre Council’s planning committee at a later date.