Dilworth Hill is still in developers’ sights

Plans: Taylor Wimpey are playing developers roulette with the Longridge community and the Ribble Valley Council hoping that, if they fail on appeal, a further application will be successful.

Despite Ribble Valley borough planning committee’s refusal in November, for 220 houses, the company is now applying for 195 homes for the land off Dilworth Lane.

Dilworth Coun Ken Hind, who is also vice chairman of housing for Ribble Valley Council, said: “Profit before community or need seems to be the way forward for this developer. Up to now this company has not put a brick in the ground on its site in Whittingham where it has approval from Preston City Council for 650 homes granted over two years ago.”

Coun Hind also revealed last year’s rejected plans for 220 homes is still subject to appeal by housing giants Taylor Wimpey, and has now been mirrored by Barrat who he said have ‘joined the game’ after they were refused 106 homes on the site adjacent to Chipping Lane in Longridge and had in the meantime of their appeal, submitted a further application for 520 homes to include the cricket field.

Coun Hind added: “Developers should not be allowed to bankrupt and bully small councils into granting their applications, the game of developers roulette should not be able to continue.”

“The borough council is in the process of appointing counsel and experts to respond to both companies appeals.”