Lancs approves 72 homes but rejects quarry

Rowland Homes’ plans, which will kick-start wider development, were received far more favourably than those of Baxter Group, reflected in the officer’s recommendation to approve and reject each application, respectively.

Land off Stanifield Lane, Preston

On Wednesday last week, the county council approved the application to catalyse the wider development of the Cuerden strategic development site, a project it hopes will bring more than 1.7m sq ft of employment space to the south of Preston.

Reserved matters consent has been given for the 6.8-acre neighbourhood off Stanifield Lane, specifically Zone E, a plot on the western edge of the masterplan designated for housing.

The agricultural field will host 32 three- and 42 four-bedroom homes, with a central street running east-west to split the site.

Rowland Homes will not provide any properties as affordable. Zone E of the strategic development site was proposed for a high-value enabling development to stimulate the delivery of infrastructure for the wider site, which is set aside for employment uses, according to a planning statement by De Pol Associates.

• BOOK NOW: Place RESI 2025

Outline permission for the five-zone Cuerden strategic development site was granted in December 2023 by Lancashire County Council.

Rowland Homes’ project is the only residential scheme of the five zones, but it is the first phase of the wider project.

Over 1.7m sq ft of employment space is expected to be delivered. Credit: via planning documents

Ordinarily, South Ribble Council would have determined the application, but LCC decided on the previous outline plans and must do so on this application.

The project team includes CBRE, Mode Transport Planning, Ascerta, Ironside Farrar, and E3P.

To view the application, use the planning reference number LCC/2025/0007 on Lancashire County Council’s planning portal.

The quarry was unpopular with residents. Credit: via planning documents

Bourbles Quarry, Preesall

Baxter Group’s plan to dig a quarry on a 51-acre site was rejected by county councillors.

Sand and gravel would have been extracted for up to five years from the site at Bourbles Farm near Preesall. The mineral extraction area would have covered 29 acres.

The impact of dust and noise on nearby residential properties, along with concerns of unacceptable impacts on highway safety, could not be mitigated, according to a decision notice.

Greenfield Enviro assisted Baxter Group with its application.

The application can be viewed with the reference number LCC/2023/003.