Northern Trust’s Fylde resi bid tipped for go-ahead

Lacking a five-year supply of housing land, officers recommend outline approval for 49 homes on a greenfield site in Weeton.

A varied docket will be considered by committee members on 24 June, with approval also recommended for the conversion of a home into a place of worship for the Spiritualist Society.

Also in line for approval is a five-court indoor padel centre, to be built new on a vacant plot within the Whitehills Industrial Estate in Westby-with-Plumptons.

The housing proposal is the largest item though, proposed for a site forming part of a larger agricultural field, east of Church Road. Northern Trust is working with MCK Associates on the project.

Although detailed plans have not been submitted yet, the site will front Church Road as the only road frontage available. The exact number of homes, layout and design will be determined at reserved matters stage.

The site is located in the countryside as designated in the Fylde local plan, and the application would not meet any of the forms of development supported by that policy, meaning ordinarily it would be in conflict.

However, the supply position means that the ‘tilted balance’ is engaged, and although local residents have raised concerns over issues such as highways, drainage and impact on the area’s character – and Weeton-with-Preese Pariah Council is an objector – officers believe that “significant and demonstrable harm” will not be caused.

Committee is recommended to approve delegation to approve, on the basis of various conditions such as securing 30% affordable homes.

Scheme documents can be viewed on Fylde Council’s planning portal, reference 26/0013.