29 homes at Parkhurst Avenue, Clayton-le-Woods

What was proposed

The application sought 29 market and affordable homes, with parking, landscaping and associated works after demolishing existing buildings.

“Proposal: Erection of 29no. dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and associated works following demolition of existing buildings…”

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 29no. market and affordable dwellings with associated parking and landscaping. For the most part dwellings would be detached with either integral or detached garages included. A total of 9no. affordable dwelling are proposed which are located in the southwestern corner of the site and are made up of two blocks of Mews, one of which has a total of 4no. dwellings and the other 5no. dwellings.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.4-hectare site was grazing land with a farmhouse, outbuildings, trees and hedgerows, enclosed by roads, housing and a caravan park.

“The application site comprises an irregular shaped plot of land approximately 1.4 hectares in area located to the east of Wigan Road (A49) to the north of Clayton-le- Woods. The site is located on part of a wider mixed-use allocation as defined in the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026 and is positioned to the north and east of major development sites, of which the eastern major development site continues to be developed for housing.”

“The site currently comprises agricultural grazing land, a farmhouse, known as Cuerden Farm, and a number of outbuildings. The site is otherwise enclosed due to housing development to the east and south, Cuerden Residential Park to the north and the A49 to the west. The site also currently contains a number of trees and hedgerows.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, giving significant weight to housing and affordable homes because the council could not show a five-year housing supply.

“In terms of benefits, the provision of 29no. dwellings in the context of an under supply of housing is a significant benefit. The inclusion of 30% of those dwellings as affordable housing would help to meet a significant shortfall in the supply of such homes across the Borough and represents a significant benefit in its own right.”

“The proposal would boost the supply of housing in a situation where there is no five-year supply and an under-provision of affordable housing and, as a result, moderate weight can be given to the economic benefits and significant weight to the social benefits of the development.”

Officer report

What residents said

Occupiers of five addresses objected over construction noise, dust, traffic, parking, construction management and the proposed Parkhurst Avenue entrance.

“Representations been received from the occupiers of 5no. addresses citing the following grounds of objection:”

“Construction noise • Disregard to existing residents from workers • Wagons not complying with agreed timetables • Dust caused by construction works • Increase in vehicle traffic from new residents • Continued construction works as a result of an approval • Objection to the use of Parkhurst Avenue for the main entrance. • Wigan Lane would be a better main entrance. • Parking for contractors will be an issue…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The public speakers were an objector and the applicant’s agent.

The committee vote

Councillors proposed and seconded approval, which passed by 10 votes to one.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alex Hilton, seconded by Councillor Craige Southern and subsequently resolved (10 – For, 1 – Against) that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions outlined within the officers’ report and a S106 agreement to secure the following:”

Minutes