Councillors agree to plans for 70 homes in rural Preston

Wainhomes submitted an application for up to 70 homes with access off Ribblesdale Drive in Grimsargh, next to an on-going development of 64 homes.

Preston Council officers had recommended the plans for approval, but objectors raised fears over the impact on the area of separation, and said the current development had already caused “huge problems with construction traffic”.

Grimsargh Parish Council chairman Lindsay Philipson said: “With the construction vehicles, the pavements are crumbling, the roads are crumbling, it’s a real mess.”
She said the parish council was concerned about vehicles from the estates leaving through a narrow access, and said access was the main concern.

Agent Stephen Harris said the development of 64 homes had been approved at an appeal, where issues including loss of open countryside, the area of separation and access from Ribblesdale Drive onto the main road were discussed, and the development was found to be acceptable.

He said: “We are proposing this would be the final southern edge of Grimsargh and giving its residents the comfort that this would be the final development in this part of the village.”

Coun David Hammond urged fellow committee members to consider the area of separation, and said: “The areas of separation are going to get eroded and eroded.

“I know it’s only small, but take a little bit at the time and you won’t have an area of separation.”
Chairman Coun Brian Rollo said the first part of development had already been agreed, meaning it would be difficult to argue about the impact on the area of separation for the second part. He said: “What we must do is make sure we defend that area of separation if it tries to get taken any further.” The plans were approved by seven votes to four.