Lancs own 420-place primary proposal deferred
Lancashire County Council has voted to defer its own application to build a two-form entry primary school and a 16-place SEND unit on 6.9 acres within the Whittingham hospital development site in Goosnargh.
Debate over the scheme centred around transport issues. Concerns were voiced by councillors over car and coach drivers turning in the street with children nearby, especially at the drop-off area.
Councillors wanted to sacrifice biodiversity net gain in favour of a roundabout or dedicated turning area, but were reminded of statutory requirements.
Ultimately, the decision was made to defer, with the reasoning put down to highway safety and the requirement of alternative turning mechanisms for traffic control.
The proposed 27,600 sq ft school would have 15 classrooms, a gym, dining hall and kitchen, and two dedicated SEND classrooms.
Plans for the scheme have been brought forward by Design Group Architects on behalf of Lancashire County Council’s property service.
Externally, plans show the site would have 32 parking spaces for teachers and visitors, hard and soft play areas, and a 22-space drop-off area on Henry Littler Way for parents.
Current plans show a junction would be installed off Henry Littler Way to allow access to the school’s car park.
Two playgrounds, one for early years and one for juniors, would be installed on the south and east sides of the plot. Two more multi-use games areas are also planned.
- BOOK NOW: Place RESI 2025
Homes England owns the hospital site and its grounds, which are being developed with a 750-home masterplan, approved in 2020 by the county council. The outline application can be viewed using the reference 06/2019/0365.
Taylor Wimpey has already completed 150 homes at the site.
These outline plans included reserving land for a Primary school as well as the redevelopment of the Whittingham and Goosnargh Sports & Social Club with outdoor facilities.
The application for the 420-pupil school from Lancashire County Council has superseded a smaller application lodged in December 2024 for a single-form entry 210-place school.
To view the application, use the reference number LCC/2025/0019 on Lancashire County Council’s planning portal.
