Luxury homes plan in Broughton 'not in keeping' with rural location, say planners

A gated community of luxury homes on farmland near Preston has been given the thumbs down by planners because locals think it is a blot on the rural landscape.
Image by Goosnargh Properties showing how the homes would look.Image by Goosnargh Properties showing how the homes would look.
Image by Goosnargh Properties showing how the homes would look.

Plans for a “bespoke and unique development” between the villages of Broughton and Goosnargh have been recommended for refusal by city council officers as they are considered “harmful and inappropriate” to the rural character of the area.

Goosnargh Properties wants to build a cluster of nine homes just off Whittingham Lane.

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But despite being given outline approval last year, the developer has now been told its finalised scheme is not in keeping with the location.

The proposed development has been described as 'not in keeping' with the rural landscape.The proposed development has been described as 'not in keeping' with the rural landscape.
The proposed development has been described as 'not in keeping' with the rural landscape.

The houses, partly clad in wood, have sparked criticism from people living nearby. Whittingham and Goosnargh Parish Councils have both lodged objections.

Locals are worried that some of the houses could overshadow properties nearby and fear the impact on the roads and drainage.

Whittingham PC objected to the layout, scale and density of the scheme. Councillors in Goosnargh said they felt the design of the development would be “out of character” with the surrounding area.

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They also raised concerns about the number of planning applications in Whittingham Lane which they said “could lead to overcrowding.”

In recommending refusal, planning officers said: “The proposed development, by virtue of its scale and layout, would introduce an incongruous urban development into an open rural setting, which would be harmful to the intrinsic character and beauty of the open countryside.”