Verdict on new Lancashire estate with dozens of homes after stark warning 'someone will die'
Councillors have vetoed a proposal to build an estate of 85 new homes in Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, after the Mayor of Hyndburn predicted someone would die if the scheme was approved.
Immanuel ward’s Cllr Josh Allen have his warning as the borough’s planning committee debated the project put forward by Gleeson Homes for the three hectare patch of open grassland near the Moving People bus company depot and Church and Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club’s ground.
The proposal for one to four bedroom detached and semi-detached houses and maisonettes generated 164 objections from nearby residents and a fierce debate when the planning committee met on Wednesday.
The councillors voted to overturn an officer’s recommendation to approve the scheme on grounds of highway safety.
Cllr Allen told the meeting: “That road is dangerous. If this application is approved someone will die.
“Someone will be whacked into straight away and be killed. It is not safe in my eyes.”
Local resident Vinette Davitt spoke at the meeting and said: “The planning officer’s report acknowledges that the site is car dependent.
“Lancashire County Council note a history of collisions, speeding and safety complaints on Blackburn Road.
“Adding around 170 additional vehicles to what is described as ‘the most dangerous road in Oswaldtwistle’ is simply unsafe.”
Local St. Oswalds ward Conservative Cllr Zak Khan said: “The small community of West End was largely built in a time before widespread car ownership. It is simply not suitable for the level of expansion proposed here.
“In the previous five years there have been multiple collisions along the road and there is significant speeding.
“Over 34,000 cars a year travel above the speed limit. Residents report frightening near-misses to me on an almost weekly basis.
“To add an additional 170 vehicle movement per day is clearly unsustainable.
“The existing infrastructure is already struggling and cannot safely absorb further pressure.”
Hyndburn Council’s town centres boss and Peel ward Labour councillors moved that the application be rejected on highway safety grounds citing the ‘massive speeds’ of some drivers using Blackburn Road.
The committee voted in favour of refusal despite the planning officer’s report recommending approval.
Megan Scarisbrick from Gleeson Homes told the meeting: “We specialise in the provision of entry level housing aimed at low to middle earners giving customers at the lower end of the housing market – who are often young or first-time buyers – a chance to afford to buy their own home.
“Gleeson have put forward a robust highways design to ensure that the proposals do not have a negative impact on the surrounding neighbours, Moving People Deport or the wider highway network.”