150 people formally object to plans for 80 homes in Ribble Valley town

A developer’s plan for 80 homes in a Lancashire village has sparked more than 150 objections.

Some people fear it could mean the loss of a much-loved hill-side area and put extra pressures on doctors and dentists. And some claim the village – Wilpshire in the Ribble Valley – only needs 24 new homes over the next two years.

Developer Persimmon Homes wants to build the houses, a third of them affordable, on land east of Salesbury View. The new application follows two previously unsuccessful plans and Persimmon has reduced the total number of suggested houses by five.

The latest plan is for 24 affordable homes with 10 for rent, six as first-time or intermediate homes, and eight as intermediate homes. The other 56 houses would be different sizes and include 12 for people aged over 55, some of them affordable.

But people who object to the plan, including two parish councils, want Ribble Valley Council to reject it. In a letter to the borough, Ramsgreave Parish Council has said: “This is the third application for this sensitive site. The previous two were refused, with the most recent dismissed at a planning appeal.

“The current proposal, despite minor amendments, does not address the core reasons for refusal identified by Ribble Valley Council or the Planning Inspectorate previously. The plan remains fundamentally unacceptable due to its impact on the landscape, highways and access constraints, drainage risks, ecological harm and its conflict with key council planning policies.

“The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the most-recent appeal because the development would create an incongruous, visually-intrusive development on a steep, highly visible hillside. The inspector found that extensive earthworks, overbearing retaining structures and ineffective landscape buffers would cause significant harm to the landscape and visual amenity.

“The site occupies a prominent, exposed hill-side forming part of the rural setting of Wilpshire. Development here would be visible from miles around and would significantly erode the area’s character.”

On local demand for housing, Ramsgreave Parish Council added: “Wilpshire requires only 24 new homes before 2028, focused on first-time buyers and older residents. This proposal for 80 dwellings significantly exceeds this and does not reflect the type or mix of housing that local assessments indicate.

“Wilpshire already faces limited access to GP and dental services, and local schools have restricted capacity. Adding 80 new homes would place further pressure on already overstretched services.”

Wilpshire Parish Council objects too and wants a traffic assessment ‘to show the true nature of speeding’ on the A666 road. It also has concerns about construction vehicles accessing the land and other objections.

However, a report on behalf of Persimmon says the Wilpshire site would be well-designed, reflect different local housing styles already seen in the village, and be sympathetic to the setting. It also says the new estate would have attractive open spaces to encourage neighbours to meet and lead active, healthy lives.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says the principle of building homes there has already been established by Ribble Valley Council. If the plan is recommended, Blackburn says conditions should include landscape ‘buffer’ areas, cash from Persimmon towards school places and health care. Roe Lee Park, Holy Souls and St Gabriel’s primary schools and Pleckgate High School are all nearby.

Blackburn council believes the visual impact can be eased, the site bordering Wilpshire is suitable for homes and, overall, the Persimmon plan is acceptable.

Regardng local health services, NHS Lancashire chiefs have request a contribution from the developer of nearly £90,000 towards expanding Brownhill Surgery.

Now, Ribble Valley planning officers are recommending councillors on its development committee to defer and delegate the plan to a top officer, for approval following a legal agreement and suitable conditions.