Seven detached homes at Land On The A674 Wheelton Blackburn New Road, Wheelton

What was proposed

The application sought seven dwellings with roads, parking, landscaping and access from Millbrook Close.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of seven dwellings with associated roads, car parking, landscaping and access. The main site access would be provided by a new vehicular access point from Millbrook Close, along with an additional pedestrian access, both of which would involve removing a section of hedgerow.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is mostly agricultural land within Wheelton’s settlement boundary, between the A674 and Millbrook Close, near homes, fields and watercourses.

“The application site forms a roughly rectangular parcel of mostly agricultural land, containing some relatively small timber buildings, between the A674 (southeast) and Millbrook Close (northwest) in Wheelton. There are further grassed fields to the northeast and southwest and dwellings bound the site’s northwestern boundary, with further dwellings on the other side of Millbrook Close and the A674.”

“The application site is located within the defined settlement boundary of Wheelton. Wheelton has a range of local amenities including a primary and nursery school, a local store, cafe, restaurant, hairdressers, village hall, recreational field and park and three public houses.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the adverse impacts would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the economic and social benefits.

“The adverse impacts of the proposed development relating to the conflict with the development strategy would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the considerable economic and significant social benefits. As such, the proposal is recommended for approval.”

“The proposal is recommended for approval as the adverse impacts of the proposal do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the considerable economic and significant social benefits it would deliver.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways could not support the proposal in its current form, while other consultees raised drainage, tree, ecology and condition-related matters.

“United Utilities: have objected to the proposal due to insufficient drainage information having been submitted and noting that easements exist by legal covenants across the site, to protect their assets, and that these need to be accurately located by the applicant. They have recommended planning conditions to overcome their objection.”

“As a result of the above, LCC Highway Services have stated they cannot support the proposal in its current form.”

Officer report

What people said

Twenty-nine objections cited traffic, flooding, green space, services, safety, ecology, village character and residential amenity, while two representations supported the homes.

“Twenty-nine objections have been received to the proposal, including from Ward Councillor Margaret France, citing the following issues:”

“Traffic generation • Loss of green space, trees, hedges • Disruption during building work • No need for more houses • Pressure on local amenities, e.g. doctors and schools • Flood risk / drainage • Pedestrian and highway safety • Conflicts with policies of the Chorley Local Plan, reference is made to policy HS8 • Light pollution • Harm to ecological resources • Harm to rural character of the area • Type of properties proposed will likely attract commuters from outside the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The public speakers were an objector and the applicant.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant permission subject to conditions by ten votes to none, with one abstention.

“That planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.”

“Planning Committee Tuesday, 5 August 2025 2. That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Enforcement, in agreement with the Chair, to agree the final wording of planning conditions.”

Minutes

Planning conditions

Conditions covered implementation, plans, ecology, trees, drainage, water infrastructure, highways, construction and estate management.

“Condition Trigger 1 Timescale to implement the permission Compliance 2 List of approved plans Compliance 3 Protection of nesting birds Compliance 4 Protection of trees Compliance 5 Details of site levels Prior to commencement 6 Foul water scheme Prior to commencement 7 Land remediation strategy Prior to commencement 8 Completion of remediation strategy Prior to first occupation 9 Super-fast broadband strategy Prior to services construction 10 Details of facing and roofing…”

Officer report