Countryside homes plans controversy

An application has been submitted to build 26 homes in the Barton countryside, on the border of Preston and Wyre.

Wainhomes wants to build on land south of a dairy farm in Garstang Road, and has applied to both councils for permission.

But community leaders in Preston fear the site is not earmarked within the city’s Local Plan for housing, and have concerns over the volume of traffic in the A6 corridor area.

A statement from agent PWA Planning said the development would include eight affordable homes, and would be made up of semi-detached three-bedroom homes, detached four-to-five-bedroom homes and six apartments, all with garages or parking spaces.

It said a small part of the application fell within the Preston Council boundary, but it was expected that Wyre Council would be the determining authority.

Coun Lona Smith, who represents Preston Rural North, said: “This application doesn’t fall within the local plan and Preston can demonstrate a five year housing supply.”

She said, despite work starting on the Broughton Bypass, “fears still are that there will be significant problems on the A6 with traffic”. She added: “Although the majority of it is in Wyre, it’s going to have a significant impact on the residents of Barton who live within the Preston city area.”

Fellow ward councillor Stephen Thompson said: “Generally speaking, I have real concerns about the amount of traffic going through the A6 corridor.”

The statement said the development would result in “key benefits”, including delivering new homes, enhancing local character through landscaping, and supporting businesses during construction and contributing to the economy. It said the proposals represented a “sustainable development.”