Green light for controversial Longridge housing
Ribble Valley Council has approved 123 homes in the Lancashire village, in the face of strong local opposition.
The local authority’s May planning committee decided in favour of the reserved matters application from Stanley Investments and Onward Homes, advised by PWA Planning.
What is proposed is the demolition of 74 Higher Road, and the subsequent construction of 123 homes on land to the rear of that street.
There will be 57 two-bedroom homes, 42 three-bedroom homes and 24 will have four bedrooms – this split includes 31 bungalows and seven split-level homes.
Of the 123 homes, 30% will be affordable, these 37 homes being made up of 16 bungalows, 10 two-bedroom houses and 11 three-bedroom. Twelve each will be affordable rent and discount open-market sale, ad 13 shared ownership.
The site has had outline approval since 2018, with this reserved matters application being filed just one day before the three-year deadline expired.
In spite of that outline consent, 44 letters of objection came in from local residents ahead of committee, raising issues including traffic concerns, loss of agricultural land and a lack of landscaping.
The developers have expressed their intention to develop continuously from a start on site in September 2023, with the first homes delivered in 2024 and the last in 2026.
An absolute shame – apart from the fact that Longridge will become a car park – so many developments / so many narrow roads / no new schools / Doctors’ Surgeries already under immense pressure – the village appeal is definitely on the wane which is so sad. The drainage problems from that side of 74 are very well known.
By Cheryl Root