Up to six homes at Tanhouse Lane, Whittle-le-Woods

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle for up to six dwellinghouses on land adjacent to Fig Tree House.

“Proposal: Permission in principle application for the erection of up to 6no. dwellinghouses…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.49-hectare site lies south of Tanhouse Lane, beside homes and Wilders Wood, and is wholly within the Green Belt.

“The site is situated to the south of Tanhouse Lane and comprises approximately 0.49 hectares of land. There are residential properties to the east and west, with Wilders Wood to the south. Further north is the settlement of Wheelton, however, the site itself falls wholly within the Green Belt, as defined by the Chorley Local Plan Policies Map. This designation does not change under the submitted Central Lancashire Local Plan.”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The proposal was assessed as grey belt development that would not fundamentally undermine the Green Belt and would provide up to six homes.

“The NPPG states that: “A Green Belt assessment should also consider the extent to which release or development of Green Belt land (including but not limited to grey belt land) would fundamentally undermine the purposes (taken together) of the remaining Green Belt across the plan area as whole.”

“The site is an undeveloped parcel of greenfield land and, therefore, the development of the site for housing would result in encroachment into the countryside. However, the level of encroachment identified cannot be taken in isolation, as the Framework is clear that the development should not fundamentally undermine the purposes of the Green Belt when ‘taken together’.”

Officer report

Responses from consultees

United Utilities sought investigation of sustainable surface-water management, while the parish council objected because the site was Green Belt land and access used the A6.

“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.”

“Whittle-le-Woods Parish Council object to the application for the following reasons: “Council objects as this is Green Belt land and because the access comes out on to the A6”.”

Officer report

What people said

One representation supported the proposal, while 17 objections raised concerns about Green Belt policy, traffic, ecology, privacy, infrastructure and publicity.

“At the time of report preparation 1no. representation of support has been received. This is summarised below:”

“Land is Green Belt not Grey Belt • Contrary to Green Belt policy • Site contributes to the purposes and separates Whittle-le-Woods and Wheelton • Not infill development • Paragraph 11 (d) does not apply • No need for the location of the development • Other housing applications on land nearby • Greenfield site • Harm to local character • Highways safety impacts / Access to Tanhouse Lane is dangerous / Near misses and accident / Pedestrian safety / Lane cannot accommodate…”

Officer report

Who spoke

[the agent] spoke as the registered agent.

Members considered the site

A proposal to defer the application so Members could visit the site was made and seconded.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alan Whittaker, seconded by Councillor Gordon France that the item be deferred to allow Members to visit the site. It was proposed by Councillor Adrian Lowe, seconded by Councillor Craige Southern, and subsequently resolved (8 for, 2 against and 1 abstain) that permission in principle be granted.”

Minutes