Houses to return to former restaurant site in Chorley

Housing is set to reappear on a strip of land in Chorley, 40 years after the previous properties on the plot were flattened to make way for a pub.
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Chorley Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead for the row of seven terrace homes on Preston Road in Coppull, replacing a building which most recently operated as Amelie’s Restaurant.

Planning officers concluded that the proposal was suitable for the greenbelt site, because it would not have a greater impact than the existing land use.

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But several locals – and some committee members – objected to the size of the planned development and how it would be accessed. Entry was proposed via Rivington Place – a narrow cul-de-sac – rather than directly from the main A49, as had been the case for visitors to the restaurant.

Amelie's Restaurant in Coppull, pictured before it closed (image: Google Streetview)Amelie's Restaurant in Coppull, pictured before it closed (image: Google Streetview)
Amelie's Restaurant in Coppull, pictured before it closed (image: Google Streetview)

Chisnall ward councillor Julia Berry told the meeting that the plans did not “meet the requirements of what we aspire to for greenbelt in Coppull”.

Committee member Alex Hilton agreed, saying that a recent official site visit had merely cemented his view that the plans were inappropriate.

“I don’t believe this is an example of redevelopment of the greenbelt, but over-development,” he said.

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However, Michael Young, the agent for the application, said that the proposed new houses represented a seven percent reduction in the space occupied by the properties which stood on the site until four decades ago.

“The protection of our greenbelt is essential. Nevertheless this must be balanced against the need for affordable homes for young families – and by identifying appropriate, previously-developed sites such as this one, protection of the greenbelt can be maintained, while contributing to the survival of more rural communities,” Mr. Young said.

Highways officers at Lancashire County Council did not object in principle to the development and it was not deemed to have an impact on road safety.

Cllr Alistair Morwood – planning committee member and cabinet member for planning on the authority – said that the new houses would regenerate a “dilapidated site”.

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“[They] will impose an improved street frontage – a return to its previous look, perhaps, when no-one would have given any thought to a line of terraces [in that location].

“I’m sure it will look very impressive replacing what was there [until] the 80s,” Cllr Morwood added.

The application was approved by a majority.