Outcry over bid to build hundreds of new homes in Nateby

The plans, which also include a convenience store and coffee shop, are envisaged for a 35 acre greenfield site off the A6 at Nateby.

Concerns raised by the public include access roads creating dangers on the A6, overwhelming sewers, schools and amenities as well as removal of green spaces.

Promoters J. Chippendale has applied to Wyre Council for outline planning permission for the site.

Richard West, one resident who wrote to Wyre Council to oppose the plans, said: “I cannot see the massive scale of these developments, together with the commercial proposals in Nateby, as a good thing for the town.

“My principal concerns are the infrastructure of Garstang will not support the associated increase in demand for schools, medical resources, sewage treatment and traffic.

“The various developers are promoting these schemes for their own profit, not for the love of Garstang and the benefit of local people.

“I object to the scale of these proposed developments and recommend that, should any one of the schemes be approved, Wyre Council should make local infrastructure improvements a condition of any such approval.”

The site comprises land owned by three families – the Chippendale family – twin brothers Robert and Andrew and their sister Amanda Harris, who own Garstang Marina, have some 18 acres and are directors of scheme promoters J. Chippendale Ltd.

Melling Collinson owns around nine acres and couple Ted and Marjorie Swarbrick more than 10 acres.

A letter by J Chippendale Ltd said: “We are well aware our Planning Application produced a large number of comments, letters both of objection and support. “However we all know about the UK’s housing crisis and therefore we remain of the opinion that the positives of this application outweigh the negatives.

“All too often the young people of Garstang have been forced to move out of town due to the high cost of property. The affordable housing allocation in the proposal will allow local people to remain.

“The employment opportunities from this development would be considerable. We also believe substantial revenue for Garstang businesses and retail outlets is likely to be generated – like many others we want Garstang to be a thriving and successful community.

“Understandably the highway issues were of concern to many people, these have now been addressed. We would also like to bring to the attention of the readers that the application is now proposing a reduction in the number of residential units from the original submission.

“Now have to await for the planning authority to make a decision.”

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