Plans for ponds near Ikea site

Controversial plans have been launched to create six ponds on a proposed new retail, housing and industrial site in South Ribble.
Cuerden Strategic siteCuerden Strategic site
Cuerden Strategic site

As part of plans for the Cuerden Strategic Site between Lostock Hall and Leyland, Lancashire County Council want to excavate six areas on a low-lying greenfield site to the north of Stoney Lane and the east of Old School Lane.

It claims they would mitigate the loss of ponds on the wider site, and provide a suitable habitat for the relocation of any Great Crested Newts found. Although no newts were found during a survery, their DNA was found in three ponds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The largest pond would measure 27m x 20m and the smallest 8.5m x 6.5m. The ponds will be in a closed system, meaning there is no potential for harm to wildlife from pollutants flowing into the pond.

The plan is recommended for approval by planning bosses at South Ribble Council, but a final decision will be made on April 19.

Five letters of objection have been submitted by four different households nearby.

One of the concerns was: “The application is premature as the full application it supports has not yet been determined.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another said: “This land and neighbouring dwellings already suffer from flooding which has caused damage and this issue needs to be considered before the application is determined.”

In response, Lancashire County Council, the lead local flood authority said it was undertaking dialouge with the consultants for the management of surface water across the whole site. It did however request an outflow be provided to a ditch.

South Ribble Council’s Environmental Health department advised ground investigations are completed, sendiment traps are used and ground conditions are monitored throughout the build.

In conclusion, South Ribble planning officer Mike Atherton said: “It is considered that the proposal development would comply with the revelant policies of the Core Stategy and the Adopted South Ribble Local Plan.”