A development of 200 homes on the site of a former dairy has been given the green light.
Persimmon Homes Lancashire has been given full permission to start work transforming the former Arla Foods site, on School Lane, Bamber Bridge, into a new estate of houses.
The development will see 209 homes, with 42 of them being classed as affordable.
Coun Dave Watts, who sits on South Ribble Council’s planning committee and represents the Bamber Bridge East ward, said: “This has been in the pipeline for some time and is one of those rare developments that most people seem to be happy with.
“I don’t know about Bamber Bridge needing more housing, but if we have to have more housing, this is the right place to have it.
“It is also good to see an element of affordable homes.”
Arla, the company behind household names such as Cravendale milk, Lurpak and Anchor butter, employed hundreds of staff in its heyday.
At its height the Bamber Bridge plant processed two million litres of milk a year.
But 280 people lost their jobs when the factory closed eight years ago due to ‘operational efficiencies’ following a merger with Express Dairies.
The principle of the development on the site was given the go ahead two years ago but a full application has only just been approved.
The development will be made up of 21 two-bed terraces, 17 three-bed terraces, 56 three-bed semi-detached homes, 31 three-bed semi-detached homes, and 84 four-bed homes.
Four local residents wrote to the council objecting to the plans.
They gave reasons including an increase in traffic, loss of trees, and potential for an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Planning contributions of more than £344,000 will be used to enhance public open space in the area, including Withy Trees Park.
Persimmon Homes was unavailable for comment today.
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