Councillor tells Chorley residents to have their say on controversial housing development

Mark Clifford, who also chairs Clayton-le-Woods Parish Council, last month criticised a developer for launching a public consultation into plans for an estate off Nell Lane at the height of the coronavirus crisis.

An application for the 115-dwelling development has now been formally submitted for consideration by Chorley Council.

The scheme was originally proposed by Redrow last year, with permission granted only on the basis that access for vehicles was provided via a neighbouring, recently-completed estate on Parkhurst Avenue.

Locals had objected to initial plans for an entrance being created via the rural Nell Lane, which would have required the removal of 100 metres of hedgerow.

Control of the site has since passed to a company called Monaco Nell Lane Limited – which has revived the original access proposals.

Cllr Clifford said that lockdown restrictions meant residents were unable to mobilise against the plans for a second time – and so is now calling on them to turn to the power of the printed word.

“The rural beauty of one of our most beloved country lanes has yet again been put in jeopardy by a housing developer.

“The proposed application would result in the loss of natural habitat for wildlife, biodiversity and rural character. Local residents know that any vehicle access to the proposed site off Nell Lane would also have massive impacts to road safety on Shady Lane, which has not been addressed in this proposal at all.

“If they feel as strongly as I do [about] protecting our environment, I would ask residents to please take part in the planning consultation on Chorley Council’s website and, if objecting, make sure they clearly [state] their reasons why,” Cllr Clifford said.

But a statement submitted to Chorley Council by planning agent Lichfields, on behalf of the applicant, claims that commitments by the developer to improving the local road network will benefit those already living in the area.

These include traffic calming measures and speed limit signs on Nell Lane, along with extensions to footways and road markings to highlight them. “Minor realignment” of the junction of Shady Lane and Nell Lane is also proposed to improve visibility.

The statement describes Nell lane as a “rat run” at peak times, with “established conflict” between pedestrians and drivers.

It adds: “The proposed traffic calming…will reduce this conflict significantly. In particular, chicanes and give way measures will reduce traffic flows whilst also significantly slow[ing] down the remaining traffic.

“The works will provide pedestrian facilities along Nell Lane that do not currently exist. A footway will be provided in so far as is possible along the southern side of the road. This pushes cars away from the boundary with the site and adjacent caravan park. It also provides a safe environment for users.

“Across the site frontage, the path is brought into the site behind the existing trees and hedges. This will help to maintain the character of Nell Lane as a rural lane, whilst also ensuring a safer environment for pedestrians.”

But Chorley Council ward member for Clayton-le-Woods West and Cuerden, Peter Gabbott, said it was "absolutely vital" that access was not granted from Nell Lane.

"It is a narrow country lane, the average width is three metres and we have already documented the safety concerns at the last planning meeting.

"The Fire and Rescue Service recommends a minimum carriageway width between kerbs of 3.7m and [this] goes to show just how unsuited Nell Lane is a main and sole access road into a development. The plan is to widen the road in the centre of Nell Lane - however, the junction with Wigan Road and the Shady Lane junction with Sheep Hill Brow will still remain considerably less than 3.7m," Cllr Gabbott said.

Planning committee meetings at Chorley Council are currently postponed because of the coronavirus crisis. The authority has said that it is exploring the use of technology to link up members remotely – and that no decisions which would usually be taken by the committee will be made in the meantime.

However, County Cllr Mark Perks, who represents Clayton with Whittle at County Hall, is concerned that planning committee decisions will eventually be conferred on the chief executive in consultation with the committee chair or relevant cabinet member, as has happened in neighbouring Central Lancashire authorities.

He added: I will do all I can to lobby Lancashire County Council highway bosses to object on the grounds that Nell Lane is not an appropriate road to have access onto and the local highway flooding issues need resolving first.”