Story Homes submits 1,300-home Cuerdale Garden Village plan
In a bid to support the government’s £5bn National Cyber Force headquarters in South Ribble, the housebuilder has submitted its finalised outline application to build the neighbourhood on an adjacent 400-acre Green Belt plot.
Alongside the homes, Cuerdale Garden Village will host 1.7m sq ft of flexible workspace, to be tailored to support cyber and defence-related supply chains.
The £470m scheme could generate £275m in economic output each year, should South Ribble Council permit it to proceed.
Story Homes has stated that up to 50% of the homes would be affordable and offered to key worker defence staff.
More than 148 acres of the site will be publicly accessible open space in addition to playing pitches and a 500-space car park.
A 21,500 sq ft local centre and a 240-capacity two-form entry primary school would also be constructed as part of the project.
John Winstanley, managing director for strategic land at Story Homes, said: “Cuerdale Garden Village is a unique and once-in-a-generation opportunity to address current and long-term needs of South Ribble and central Lancashire, while enabling the region to meet the needs and opportunities arising through the National Cyber Force at Samlesbury.”
The £5bn National Cyber Force project was announced in 2021 and aims to consolidate experts from MI6, GCHQ, the Ministry of Defence, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at one campus.
Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen and the government’s mission champion for the North West, said: “When big investments, like Lancashire’s National Cyber Force, are accompanied by new social infrastructure – houses, schools, transport links – it’s good for all of us.
“It lays the foundation for success and maximises the benefits of investment, so that people locally and county-wide can feel the benefits of more jobs, talent, and money coming into Lancashire.
“Proposals like this are a great example of that, showing how the government’s increased defence spending is spurring growth, creating change across the country.”
And just check out the size of the neighbouring Blackburn Wastewater Treatment Works. I hope the smells have been sorted out. If not and these houses proceed, I can see a few upset households LOL!
By Drew
In the middle of nowhere, with nothing interesting within walking distance, right next to an industrial estate. Is this the type of place suburbanites try to convince us is “a great place to raise kids”? A great place to raise kids who grow up chronically sad maybe
By Anonymous
Where are these houses to be built in South rubble?
By Mrs g fisj
“Garden Village”? Where are the facilities that make it a village? The pub? The church? A cricket pitch? And the gardens are just big enough to hold a wheelie bin. Be honest. Call it what it is. It’s a housing estate. Not a Village. A housing estate.
By Anonymous
What’s the point of green belt when developers can just do what they like with impunity, completely disregarding local residents and any protections on the land
By Jon P
This has to be the worst location for a new residential development. Will this have any public transport connections?
By Anonymous
In the green belt that was designed to prevent urban sprawl and promote the regeneration of Lancashire existing towns. This will not deliver the county wide levelling up that was promised with the National Cyber Force
By Anonymous
When you can’t smell the brewing, you’ll certainly smell the poo’ing! Hopefully each house will come with breathing apparatus.
By T.D.Smith
It’s an Outline not a Full planning application and it was submitted in May 2022! Over 3 years and still no decision. They have recently submitted some amended information for consideration by South Ribble Council…
By Anonymous
Hi anon, you are correct – it is an outline application. I’ve clarified that in the story. Thank you.
By Charlie Valentine
It more Greenbelt gone !!!
By Anonymous
Cuerdale lane is not capable in my opinion of coping with existing traffic never mind a major new development
By Ian
Please leave enough green space to grow a few carrots and spuds
Maybe a few onions.
By Ben
Absolutely not. The local schools are already oversubscribed. No dentist places or doctors. Traffic will be horrendous especially when the is an accident on one of the surrounding motorways
By Helen Womack
We live on Cuerdale lane. According to information this development will take 10 to 15 years to complete. That is years of building noise, and increased traffic. Will Story Homes provide triple glazing to existing homes to compensate for our quality of life been destroyed.
By Mr and Mrs Thompson