Lytham luxury apartments approved on appeal

A development described by local councillors as “visually intrusive” which will result in the demolition of a 1930s art-deco building in Lytham has been granted planning approval following an appeal by consultants Turley.

The proposals at 99 Ballam Road are for a three-storey building including seven two-bed apartments and a three-bed penthouse overlooking Lytham golf course.

Designed by architect Sanderson Borland, the scheme for Purcell Developments and Harrison Hunt Developers was originally rejected by Fylde Council’s planning committee in May this year.

The planning committee particularly objected to the loss of the art-deco Green Ridges, built in the 1930s, and the scale of the proposed development.

Outlining reasons for refusal, planners said the building would lead to the loss of a non-designated heritage asset; that it would “by virtue of its design, scale and height, result in a visually intrusive development that would dominate its surroundings and neighbouring properties”.

The decision added the scheme “would not respect the pattern of development established by the majority of the neighbouring dwellings which contribute positively to the character of the area”.

However, Fylde’s planning inspector, George Baird, has now approved the scheme, with a full award of costs made to the developer after the inspector found Fylde Council has demonstrated “unreasonable behaviour”.

It was argued the council did not have a five-year supply of housing land, and should have given more weight to the housing supply benefits of the proposal.

Baird also said the council provided “nothing in either evidence on the appeal or in the reasons for refusal” to outline why the scheme should be refused based on its own housing policies.

He also concluded the Green Ridges building was a “non-heritage asset of medium to low significance” and that the benefits of new housing on the site would outweigh the loss of the building.

Baird added: “The proposed building represents high-quality contemporary architecture that would contribute positively to the local area”.

Carly Hinde, senior planner at Turley said: “We were very pleased to have had our appeal upheld for this distinctive and exceptionally designed contemporary scheme.

“The full award of costs against the Council reaffirms our view that Members were incorrect to originally refuse the development against clear evidence and local and national planning policy which seeks to boost significantly the supply of housing.”

The professional team on the project also includes Planit IE and Mott MacDonald. 

The 1930s art-deco building on the site will be demolished