Issue - meetings

Outline planning consent refused.

Registered speakers: Frances Waite (Objector), Parish Councillor Allan Shaw (Charnock Richard Parish Council), Councillor Alan Whittaker (Ward Councillor) and Colin Wood (Applicant’s Agent)

After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Keith Iddon, seconded by Councillor Paul Walmsley, and subsequently RESOLVED (Unanimously) – That outline planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The proposed development would have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development on that part of the site that is previously developed and would, therefore, be inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Substantial weight attaches to the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and further harm arising here by reason of the impact of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt. The benefits associated with the proposed development would not clearly outweigh the harm resulting and, therefore, do not constitute, individually or cumulatively, very special circumstances required if inappropriate development is to be approved in the Green Belt in accordance with paragraph 88 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.    The site lies in an area not identified for growth within policy 1 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy, which seeks to direct growth and investment towards the most sustainable locations. The proposed development is not small scale or limited to appropriate infilling, conversion of buildings or meeting local need. The benefits associated with the proposed development do not amount to exceptional reasons for the larger scale redevelopment proposed and the development is, therefore, contrary to policy 1 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the spatial vision that underlies it. The presumption in favour of sustainable development set out at paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework does not, therefore, apply to the proposed development.

3.    The proposed development would be located in an area not identified for growth within policy 1 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy. The Council has in excess of a five year housing land supply and there are no exceptional circumstances to justify the provision of new housing in this location. The proposed development is, therefore, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and conflicts with policy 1 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy. The presumption in favour of sustainable development set out at paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework does not, therefore, apply to the proposed development.