'Livid' - locals react to Story Homes plans for 86 homes on fields in Farington
Residents have vowed to fight plans for 86 new homes on fields between Lostock Hall and Whitestake.
Farington residents have reacted angrily to plans for 86 homes on a hotly-disputed parcel of land off Chain House Lane, between Lostock Hall and Whitestake.
Story Homes wants to develop 3.7 hectares of greenfield land behind Oakdene on Chain House Lane, abutting Church Lane, which would include 30 per cent affordable housing. A leaflet drop with information on the scheme - and details of how to engage with a consultation process ahead of a full planning application- was made earlier this week.
This has reignited local concern about development on the land, which has previously seen plans for 100 Wainhomes properties rejected.
The site
The site is made up for three parcels of land, and is bordered by Chain House Lane and a residential property to the north, Church Lane and greenfield land to the east and south, and greenfield land and a residential property to the west.
The site forms part of safeguarded land for future development under Policy G3 of the adopted South Ribble Local Plan 2015. The site also forms part of a wider draft housing allocation for 435 homes in total.
The plan
Story Homes say the proposals will deliver a mix of properties, with a range of sizes from 1–6 bedrooms, in a mixture of detached and semi-detached dwellings.
Vehicular access is proposed to be taken via Chain House Lane to the north. The present layout includes a local area of play and a SuDS basin (a landscaped, vegetated depression designed to manage surface water runoff). Pedestrian connectivity will be enhanced through the site and into the local area, including a pedestrian link to Church Lane.
Local reaction
The Say No to Chainhouse Lane Development Facebook group, which was set up in 2019 to fight the initial proposals, has reawoken, with locals worried about a loss of green fields, changing the nature of the area, traffic, and a lack of local infrastucture to support the homes.
One homeowner in Church Lane told the Post she was “livid” at hearing the new plans. She said: “Despite the fact it wil have transport links from Chain House Lane, Church Lane will become a huge cut-through, increasing traffic. The traffic lights at Chain House Lane are always busy anyway, so imagine at least another 86 cars going through them.
“It will be abhorrent if this is passed. We will no longer be able to say we live in a semi-rural area if they keep building.”
What do Story Homes say?
The leaflet issued on the scheme says: “The proposals have carefully considered the existing houses and businesses in the area, to ensure that they will not be negatively affected by the proposals. Story Homes have created a scheme that is considerate and responds positively to the character of the existing area, providing an attractive place to live for new and existing residents.”
Have your say
Prior to the submission of a planning application, Story Homes is undertaking a public consultation, running from April 15 to 29.
You can write to Story Homes at:
Pegasus Group, Queens House, Queen Street, Manchester, M2 5HT.
Or email: [email protected]
After the planning application has been submitted, South Ribble Borough Council will write to neighbours to pass on details of the application and offer the opportunity for further comments.