Seven-pitch traveller site at Land 85M East Of 48 Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a seven-pitch traveller family caravan site with vehicle access from Town Lane.

“This application seeks planning permission retrospectively for the change of use of the land to form a 7-pitch traveller family caravan site with vehicular access taken from Town Lane.”

“The planning application was submitted in March 2024 and made valid in June 2024 prior to any works or occupation taking place. In August 2024 the site became occupied with extensive works carried out to scrape back the surface material, construct bunds and lay areas of hardcore across parts of the site to facilitate the movement and siting of caravans.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site was open agricultural grassland on safeguarded land beside Town Lane and had previously been used for landfill.

“The application site is located within Safeguarded Land as defined by policy BNE3 the Chorley Local Plan 2012 – 2026 and is located immediately north of the existing settlement area at the urban fringe. It previously comprised open grassland in agricultural use and is located to the south of Town Lane and lies between residential dwellings at no.48 Town Lane to the west and no.72 Town Lane to the east. It is known that the site was previously used for landfill.”

“The site itself is stretches along the road frontage for a distance of approximately 130m though it is not deep. The land slopes from east to west and north to south across the site, with a steep change in levels beyond the site boundary to the south when the land slopes down to a water course.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier site decisions included permission in principle for up to nine dwellings in 2023 and a 1980 refusal involving access and landfill material.

“Ref: 23/00163/PIP Decision: PERPIP Decision Date: March 2023 Description: Permission in principle application for up to 9 no. detached dwellings…”

“Ref: 80/00797/FUL Decision: REFFPP Decision Date: October 1980 Description: Improvement to vehicular access, tipping inert filling material and re-grading/re- soiling site…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal failed to demonstrate safe vehicular access and would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.

“It is recommended that planning permission is refused for the following reason:”

“The proposed development would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety by virtue of a failure to demonstrate that safe vehicular access can be achieved, contrary to paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework, policy 8 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and policy BNE1 of the Chorley Local Plan 2012 - 2026.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Ecology and environmental consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the highway authority could not support the access without further information.

“Greater Manchester Ecology Unit: No objections raised subject to a series of conditions including measures for protection and enhancement of ecological habitats.”

“Lancashire Highway Services: Lancashire County Council acting as the Local Highway Authority does not consider that the application as submitted fully assesses the highway impact of the proposed development and further information is required as set out in this response. Without this information the Local Highway Authority is unable to provide final highway advice on this application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor and the agent spoke to the committee.

The committee vote

A refusal amendment was proposed and seconded, then carried by eight votes to two, with one abstention.

“After careful consideration, the officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor Craige Southern and seconded by Councillor Alex Hilton.”

“An amendment to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor Gordon France and seconded by Councillor Russ Green. The vote was taken on the amendment first and it was subsequently resolved (8:2:1) that planning permission be refused for the following reason:”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was refused because the development would adversely affect the semi-rural character and appearance through its design, layout and associated infrastructure.

“The proposed development has an unacceptable adverse impact on the semi-rural character and appearance of the local are by virtue of the design and layout of the site and its associated infrastructure. Therefore, the application is contrary to Policy 8 of the Central Lancashire Core Strategy adopted 2012 and BNE1 of the Chorley Local Plan adopted 2015.”

Minutes