Success at last for BXB Thornton’s 130-home Wyre project

Third time is, in fact, the charm – or so it was for BXB Thornton, which saw its plans for a fully affordable Fleetwood Road North neighbourhood approved by the council on the third time it appeared before the local planning committee.

Wyre Council signed off the application at its planning committee on Wednesday, after having deferred an earlier version in November – which was rejected in February. BXB Thornton’s plans had been recommended for approval by planning officers each of the times they appeared before the committee.

The approval of the revised plan paves the way for BXB Thornton, a joint venture between brownfield specialist BXB and developer Promenade Estates, to sell the land to housing provider Places for People.

Places for People will deliver a mixture of affordable rent and shared ownership properties on the 12-acre site.

Making the scheme 100% affordable housing was one of the major changes made to the project after its February rejection. The earlier version of the scheme had only nine affordable homes. Other changes included boosting the project’s green infrastructure.

Gary Goodman, director of BXB, praised the council’s decision to approve the project.

“This is excellent news for the economic future of the local community as it will see the delivery of a new link road into Hillhouse Enterprise Zone which will unlock new jobs and opportunities during a time of economic uncertainty,” Goodman said.

“The housing element fulfils a similar social purpose, providing affordable homes at a time of rising costs,” he continued.

“Places for People are an exceptional developer and will be delivering quality homes in a lovely setting that will provide security for families that require decent places to live.”

While BXB Thornton has bowed out of the residential side of the project, the joint venture is still leading the development of the retail element of the scheme. Wyre Council approved BXB Thornton’s plans for two stores totalling 8,000 sq ft last week.

To learn more about the plans, search for application number 23/00215/OULMAJ on Wyre Council’s planning portal.