Up to two homes at Land Off Mill Lane, Coppull

What was proposed

Permission in principle was sought for up to two dwellinghouses on land off Mill Lane.

“Proposal: Permission in principle application for the erection of up to two dwellinghouses…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies within Coppull beside an existing mill pond, between housing, with most land designated as existing open space and some within a Biological Heritage Site.

“The application site is located within the settlement area of Coppull as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026 to the west side of an existing mill pond, once associated with Coppull Ring Mill located to the north, and on land between the pond and a recent housing development located to the west at Spinners Close.”

“The character of the immediate locality is relatively mixed and has undergone some significant changes since the mill building changed from its original purpose. The mill building, which is grade II listed, is located to the north of the site and has now become the Coppull Enterprise Centre, which accommodates a range of businesses and uses. To the northeast of the pond is The Red Herring public house, which is also grade II listed.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

A larger scheme was refused in 2021 and dismissed on appeal in 2022 because of harm from open-space, tree and woodland losses.

“The Council’s Planning Committee refused a planning application (app ref: 19/00251/FUL) for the development of this site in December 2021. The application sought planning permission for the erection of a building comprising 4no. apartments and a building comprising 2no. bungalows with associated parking and landscaping.”

“An appeal (appeal ref: APP/D2320/W/22/3300113) against the Council’s refusal of the application was dismissed in December 2022. The Planning Inspector upheld the reasons for refusal relating to the loss of the POS and trees and woodland, concluding that their loss would harm the character and appearance of the area.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Twenty-seven representations objected on grounds including open-space loss, wildlife, flooding, drainage, parking, character, fishing and neighbouring amenity; the parish council made no comment.

“Twenty-seven representations have been received citing the following grounds of objection to the proposed development –”

“Lack of consultation/publicity • Impacts on wildlife • Impacts on a biological heritage site • Previous applications at the site have been refused • Drainage • Flooding • Impacts on fishing lake • Development would set a precedent • Development is not necessary • Loss of open space • Lack of parking • Impacts on character of area • Impacts on neighbouring amenity due to elevated position of the site…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the ward councillor and the agent spoke to the committee.

What members considered

Members considered the site’s open-space role, its contribution to the area’s character, and the visual effect of residential development and hardstanding.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Chris Snow, seconded by Councillor Craige Southern and subsequently resolved (7 for, 2 against) that planning in principle refused for the following reasons:”

“The application site is identified as open space and makes a significant and very positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area. The erection of residential development and associated additional areas of hardstanding would introduce an urbanising effect into an area of open space which forms a break in built form in the area.”

Minutes