Claims of "a plot" over complex Chorley housebuilding plan

A developer has been accused of "a plot" to seek a controversial access point to a planned housing estate in Chorley.
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Redrow Homes was last year granted permission to build up to 115 dwellings on land off Nell Lane in Cuerden.

The firm had initially wanted to create an entrance off Nell Lane itself, but the suggestion caused uproar amongst locals who objected to the loss of 100m of hedgerow along the picturesque rural route.

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A revised plan was put forward proposing temporary access from that location for construction traffic - and a permanent entrance via a completed, neighbouring Redrow estate on Parkhurst Avenue.

Councillors ruled that access would have to come via a neighbouring development (image: Google Streetview)Councillors ruled that access would have to come via a neighbouring development (image: Google Streetview)
Councillors ruled that access would have to come via a neighbouring development (image: Google Streetview)

However, in approving the development, Chorley Council's planning committee insisted that even construction traffic should use the latter route - and Nell Lane must remain undisturbed.

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The company was this week back before councillors seeking permission for an additional four homes on that part of the land - but several committee members suspected that there was another issue at play.

"I believe it's a collaborative, tactical plot on behalf of the developers to force the issue over Nell Lane by sealing off the Parkhurst Avenue end of this larger plot of land," said Cllr Neville Whitham warned.

Councillors fear plans to resurrect access to a new estate from rural Nell Lane (image: Google Streetview)Councillors fear plans to resurrect access to a new estate from rural Nell Lane (image: Google Streetview)
Councillors fear plans to resurrect access to a new estate from rural Nell Lane (image: Google Streetview)
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"It seems fairly innocuous in itself, building four houses - but it's [a question of] the impact on the proposals that are going to come before this committee in the future."

Cllr Martin Boardman added that it seemed " a bit like application by stealth" - but that the committee should have confidence in its planning officers to see off such tactics.

In a statement issued after the meeting - at which the application for the extra houses was approved by majority - Robin Buckley, planning director for Redrow Homes Lancashire, said: “Our latest proposal is a small alteration to our existing planning permission, to add four homes to our recently launched Willows Green development.

"The area had originally been earmarked for a balancing pond, but this is no longer required.

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"Willows Green will provide an opportunity to access other land to the north, which is not owned or controlled by Redrow, from Parkhurst Avenue rather than Nell Lane.

"Redrow previously withdrew a planning application which included a vehicular access from Nell Lane to that land, precisely because of concerns raised by local residents and councillors.” Mr. Buckley added.

The land on which the additional dwellings will be built had previously been reserved for a water attenuation tank and wildflower meadow to address drainage and biodiversity issues on the wider site no longer in Redrow's control.

Monaco Nell Lane undertook a public consultation on its plans for that plot earlier this year - which include reviving access from Nell Lane - but has yet to submit a formal planning application. That means the area is currently considered undeveloped land and so the drainage and biodiversity mitigation originally demanded are not deemed necessary.

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However, the authority has insisted on a planning agreement with Redrow that would prevent the firm from progressing phases two and three of the development - should it acquire than land at some point in the future - unless new biodiversity measures were put in place.

Drainage plans would also be required for subsequent phases of the development.

Monaco Nell Lane was approached for comment via its planning agent Lichfields.

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