4 to 9 homes at Land At Boys Farm, Leyland Lane, Ulnes Walton

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for between four and nine dwellinghouses, with detailed matters reserved for a later stage.

“The application is for ‘Permission in Principle’ for a minimum for 4no. dwellinghouses and a maximum of 9no. dwellinghouses. This type of application seeks only to establish the principle of the development. Technical matters cannot be considered.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 0.49-hectare agricultural field beside Leyland Lane, within the Green Belt and associated with an active farming enterprise.

“The application site is situated on the western side of Leyland Lane and comprises an agricultural field. The application confirms that this land forms part of the land holding associated with Boys Farm, which is an active farming enterprise. The farm access is gained from Leyland Lane and the track runs along the northern boundary of the application site.”

“The site is approximately 0.49 hectares in size and falls wholly within the Green Belt, as defined by the Chorley Local Plan Policies Map.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission in principle because the site was considered grey belt, housing need was unmet and the location was sustainable.

“The site constitutes grey belt, and the development would not fundamentally undermine the purposes (taken together) of the Green Belt. There is a demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed (housing) and the site is situated in a sustainable location for the purposes of the Framework (paragraph 155 (c). The proposal is not, therefore, inappropriate development in the Green Belt as it meets the exception 155 of the Framework.”

“The officer recommendation is that the application for permission in principle is granted. A permission in principle application is granted with an automatic timeframe of 3 year to submit an application for technical details consent (Stage 2). No conditions can be attached to the grant of a permission in principle.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

United Utilities asked for surface-water options to be investigated, CIL officers explained when liability would arise, and the parish council made no comments.

“United Utilities – Recommend that the developer uses UU pre-development enquiry service and that all options for sustainable management of surface water should be investigated. UU provide a standard condition which they state that they may request at technical details stage.”

“Parish Council – No comments have been received at the time of report preparation.”

Officer report

Objections from neighbours

Four neighbours objected over Green Belt harm, the working dairy farm, traffic, smells, access, services and the site’s potential effects on the area.

“Not limited infilling on a village • Does not meet any exceptions to Green Belt policy • Harmful to Green Belt • No very special circumstances • Result in urban sprawl • Location / Site is unsuitable as it backs onto a working dairy farm with a heard of 700 cows • Land use incompatible / will result in impacts on operators of the farm and future occupants of the houses – noise and disturbance / farm would have a significant impact on the amenity of future occupiers / will…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The registered speakers were an objector, the ward councillor and the agent.

The committee vote

Councillors voted seven in favour, three against and one abstention on a proposal to grant permission in principle.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Russ Green, seconded by Councillor Chris Snow and resolved (7 for, 3 against and 1 abstain) that permission in principle be granted…”

Minutes