Wyre consults on Great Eccleston masterplan
Wyre Council and planner De Pol have launched a consultation on a 44-acre agricultural site to the west of Great Eccleston which could accommodate nearly 385 homes, a health centre, employment space, and a primary school.
The site sites to the immediate west of Great Eccleston village and is bordered by Garstang Road and Copp Lane. Part of the site to the south of Copp Lane already has planning consent for 183 homes and a health centre; this is being built out by Rowland Homes.
The north of the site bordered by Garstang Road has the capacity for around 385 houses, which will take up the majority of the space on the site. Along with this there is also around 2.5 acres set aside for employment space – likely to be light industrial use or a small business park – and 3.3 acres set aside for a primary school.
The masterplan also has provision for a new community hall to be operated by charitable organisation the Great Eccleston Village Centre, and there is also space set aside for a small convenience store of no more than 4,300 sq ft.
There is funding set aside by the local Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver a health centre as part of the masterplan; this is likely to be at least double the size of the area’s existing health facility and will feature an on-site pharmacy, an ambulance bay, and car parking. The preferred site of this facility is to the east of the masterplan area, adjacent to a proposed footpath link which will run through to Great Eccleston’s high street.
Other land uses include around 10 acres set aside for green infrastructure, although the exact nature of this is yet to be decided.
Public views are now being invited on the masterplan, with the first consultation event held yesterday by the council and De Pol. A second event will take place on 10 January at Great Eccleston Village Centre between 2:30pm and 7pm, and the public can also offer their views online – documents can be accessed here.
Following the consultation, which runs until 22 January, a final masterplan will be drawn up and will go before Wyre Council’s cabinet for approval.
Alexis De Pol said: “We’ve already sought input from numerous stakeholders, including the parish council and the organisations responsible for health and education provision, to understand their requirements and priorities. These concepts are the result of those discussions and now it is time to seek the views of the wider community.
“The exhibitions will be the first opportunity for people to see the vision for the development, and we want them to help shape the masterplan, in particular with regard to the community facilities. There are several concepts that demonstrate how the different elements could work together, and we are keen to hear local people’s preferences through this consultation.
“Anyone who cannot make one of the events can view the exhibition materials at The Village Centre throughout December and early January, or online and responses can be emailed.”
