Bellair submits 62-home plan for old western-themed campsite

The houses would revive the derelict Great Birchwood Country Park site, transforming it into a neighbourhood with considerable green and blue infrastructure.

The 20.7-acre site in Lytham sits within designated Green Belt territory, even though it is a brownfield location having been a Royal Air Force camp in the 1940s and the themed campsite after that. The buildings currently on the land have fallen into disrepair after Great Birchwood Country Park ceased operations in 2016.

Bellair Scotland aims to build up to 62 homes on the site with both formal and informal recreational spaces. The developer wants to improve the green and blue infrastructure on the site by planting trees and hedgerows and adding ponds. Bellair has also promised to provide money for affordable homes.

In an outline application submitted by Savills, Bellair said the new development would contain a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom houses. All the homes would be two storeys.

KTA Architects designed the project, with landscape architect Donaldson Edwards Partnership drafting initial plans for the development’s green elements. Hydrock is the transport and flood risk consultant on the scheme. Bellair is developing the land on behalf of Fylde Care Village.

Layout of Bellair’s proposed plans for the former Great Birchwood Country Park. Credit: via BECG

Around 70% of respondents to a public consultation conducted by BECG were in favour of redeveloping Great Birchwood Country Park.

Among the residents supportive of the plan is Warton & Westby Cllr Bobby Rigby. “Great Birchwood Country Park was a real asset to Fylde in its heyday, bringing visitors from far and wide for their holidays,” Rigby said. “Though with changing holiday habits the park has gone the way of many other camping and caravan sites of its type.

“Since closing in 2016 the site has fallen into disrepair and become a real blight on this beautiful part of Fylde,” he continued. “As a local councillor I’ve been seeking a way to secure its redevelopment.

“I want the very best for the residents I represent, and I believe that the proposals from Bellair for a low-density development of family homes here will bring this site back in to use sustainably and make Great Birchwood an asset to our community once again.”

Bellair managing director Colin Campbell said he was “delighted” to receive Rigby’s support. “Of course, the demise of Great Birchwood as a holiday destination is sad, but our proposals will breathe new life into the site and offer a range of environmental and social benefits to the community.”