Verdict due on controversial 75-home plan for former Brinscall timber yard

A decision will be made next week on whether a former timber yard can be turned into an estate of 75 homes.

Rowland Homes has made an application to transform a seven-acre site off North East Avenue, Railway Road, Brinscall, formerly owned by James Donaldson Group Limited. The site currently consists of various steel portal frame industrial units, offices, loading bays and compounds, associated with it’s previous use.

Rowland Homes want to remove what’s there and redevelop the brownfield site with 75 dwellings in 12 different property styles, consisting of eight two-bedroom houses, 31 three-bedroom houses, and 36 four bedroom houses. Properties would be a mix of terraced, semi-detached, and detached.

The proposed access is from a new road off Railway Road, and Rowland Homes state the properties would “compliment the local architectural style and the materials used in their construction will be in keeping with the local character.”

But there have been 10 objections to the proposed scheme and the matter will be decided by Chorley Borough Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Tuesday, July 7. Concerns raised include:

• Lack of parking in Brinscall and Withnell

• Highway congestion

• How will construction traffic access the site?

• Loss of employment use

• Loss of trees and hedges

• Impact on public rights of way

• Flood risk

Withnell Parish Council has also objected on the basis the site is allocated as an existing employment site in the existing and emerging local plan, and ‘there is no convincing evidence that the new land owner (Rowland Homes) has vigorously marketed the site for employment purposes for the required twelve months’.

At the time the application was made, Jonathan Pickthall, Land Director at Rowland, said: “We are excited about this acquisition as it provides a great opportunity to remediate and redevelop old industrial premises for high-quality family housing within the village setting of Brinscall.

“The site has excellent access to the M61, M65 and M6 motorways. We are pleased that this acquisition enables the James Donaldson Timber Group to relocate to Botany Bay Business Park and expand its timber business, creating more jobs for local people. We look forward to bringing a vibrant new community to life."

Report

A report compiled by planning officers ahead of the meeting has now been issued. In respect of the quality and type of employment land to be lost, it states the application has been supported by the provision of a Viability and Marketing Report which highlights that the existing site is heavily constrained by several factors which mean that its loss would not result in a detrimental impact on the quality of the employment supply.

It also states that there is an undersupply of housing in the area, and there would be a ‘net improvement in amenity’ by removing incongruous industrial buildings.

It adds that Lancashire County Council Highways have not objected to the scheme in terms of road safety or traffic issues. The lead Local Flood Authority has not objected.

Verdict

The report recommends that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement to require the following:

• A Public Open Space contribution of £182,475 (£129,975 if it is to be privately maintained)

• A minimum education contribution of £168,762 up to a maximum contribution of £534,413 for 19 secondary school places (final amount to be agreed following further discussions with Lancashire County Council Education Services)

• Biodiversity Net Gain