Plans to bring new homes to the former Woodlands site in Chorley have been given the green light.
The council has approved the sale of the site and the appointment of a housebuilder, paving the way for it to be transformed into a new residential development of up to 97 homes, 30% of which will be affordable housing to help meet local demand. The new homes are expected to support a range of people, including families and first-time buyers.
The site had been vacant for a number of years and since acquiring the site in December 2023, the council has had to carefully manage the demolition of unsafe and derelict buildings to make the area secure and ready for future development, following a fire that occurred. It has also managed anti-social behaviour, secured the site, obtained planning permission (December 2025), and has now progressed to tendering the site for sale, meaning that it can now be brought back into positive use for the community.
With the council already securing outline planning permission, it will now be for the housebuilder to submit the detailed stage of the development for planning, in line with what has already been approved.
Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, said: “We’re really pleased that we are able to make effective use of a brownfield site as the former Woodlands site has stood empty for years so it is great that we can now bring it back into use.
“We acquired the site from Lancashire County Council after they were unable to find a use for it.
“From the outset, the intention has been to deliver new homes on the site, supporting local housing needs and aligning with our emerging Local Plan.
“This is a positive step for the area, helping to deliver much-needed homes, including affordable housing, and creating a safer, more welcoming environment for residents.”
“We continue to retain a further element of the wider site with an aspiration to develop commercial/training provision that can add to the economic growth of Chorley in the future on a site that is well connected to other parts of the borough.”
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