Build for affordable homes coming to Longridge

The scheme brought forward for land off Halfpenny Lane was voted through at a planning meeting in Preston on Thursday.

However appealing to members of the planning committee to reject the proposals one city councillor called the scheme a “ramshackle application”.

Addressing members on behalf of residents coun Lona Smith, who represents Preston Rural North, said: “Again not on the local plan.

“It is another situation where we’ve got land grabbing.

“I didn’t know that Preston City Council is obliged to supply affordable housing for Longridge as well.

“This housing will be too dense. It doesn’t even meet the required level of parking spaces.

“We have got to look at the big picture here. It just isn’t going to work. The surgeries are at full capacity. It’s unsuitable. The proposed entrance is on a dip on Halfpenny Lane which floods regularly.”

Plans for the housing scheme had been sent to Preston City Council (PCC) by agent Mosaic Town Planning on behalf of applicants MCI Developments and Places for People.

It will see 20 Halfpenny Lane demolished to make way for the build and a new pumping station.

Speaking at the meeting Leon Armstrong of Mosaic urged members to accept the plans.

“The council can’t demonstrate a five-year housing supply,” he said before adding: “98 per cent of the housing presented here is to be affordable housing.”

Officers at PCC had recommended that councillors accept the proposals subject to an obligation that the applicant provide for contributions for school places.

Councillors accepted the application with only one member voting against proposals.