Chorley Borough Council have approved Barratt Homes’ plans for the development of 53 homes on the land that lies between the community centre, Rowland Homes and Miller Homes.

At a planning meeting held tonight (17th Jan) at Chorley Town Hall, speakers were invited to present their support or opposition to the plans before the Development Control Committee who are responsible for passing planning application across Chorley Borough.

During the meeting Buckshaw residents closest to the proposed development and Cllr. Mark Perks (Borough Councillor representing this area of Buckshaw), explained some of the frustrations associated with the proposed development, these included:

• The road layout for this parcel of land

The master plan for Buckshaw village incorporates three road exits to service this parcel and Barratts layout reflects this. One road exit leading on to Main Street, another via Holland House Way (Rowland development) and a third through Bryning Ave (Miller Homes development). There is no direct link between this parcel of land and the school; the planning Committee passed plans to keep the road accessing the school as a cul-de-sac.

• The distribution of 20 social homes within the development of 53 houses

The S106 agreement for the whole of Buckshaw details the developer’s obligations which include affordable housing.  None of the houses on this parcel of land will be part of the affordable housing obligations.  Therefore the arrangement to sell any homes on this parcel to a social housing management group is the decision of Barratt Homes. Planning officers emphasised that it could not be taken into consideration by the planning Committee when making a decision on the planning application for 53 houses.

Barratt Homes intend to build 20 energy efficient houses (the affordable houses) in this parcel which need to be grouped together. It will not be possible to spread out the allocated social homes across the development of 53 houses.

• Barratt Homes starting the work early having not been granted full permission

Barratt received outline planning permission for the site in 2002, however Ian Hilliker, Director for Barratt Homes apologised for beginning work early. He also acknowledged that work had begun on site to make sure that the social housing allocation was built and ready for June 2012 so as allocated government funding could be received by Barratts. Planning officers acknowledged that Barratt Homes had ceased work at their request, pending the outcome of tonight’s planning meeting.

Full minutes of the meeting will be available on Chorley BC’s website later this week and a link will be provided here soon.