Residential relief road at Land between Burnley Road and Altham Lane, Huncoat

What was proposed

A 1.1-kilometre relief road would connect Altham Lane with Burnley Road, with walking, cycling, bus, drainage and junction works.

“Description of the Site and the Proposed Development The application site is a linear area measuring 10.6 hectares (ha) located east of the village of Huncoat and wholly within the Hyndburn Borough Council (HBC) and Lancashire County Council (LCC) administrative areas. It extends from Altham Lane in the north to a roundabout on Burnley Road (A679) to the south and is located west of the Accrington Bypass (A56).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 10.6-hectare site lies east of Huncoat across pastoral fields, crossing Burnley Lane and including a public footpath, pylons and nearby major roads.

“The land use of the application site is predominantly pastoral agricultural with a small section of road infrastructure within the central part. There is energy infrastructure in the form of pylons to the north crossing the site east/west. The surrounding area is covered by a mix of land uses, including urban settlement, major road and energy infrastructure and countryside, including fields and woodland.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Consultees raised issues about drainage, highway design, bridge traffic, construction controls and ecology, while several had no objection or supported conditions.

“Therefore, the proposal would unlikely have any significant impact on the living conditions of nearby occupants, subject to conditions relating to construction dust, hours and traffic, and requiring a final Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) (noting the submitted plan is in outline). Cadent Gas: No response received (due by 24 April 2025).”

“National Highways: October 2025: Recommend that conditions should be attached to any planning permission that may be granted relating to the construction design and method statement; full design details of the interfaces and works on the A56 trunk road; geotechnical information; landscaping and planting; and surface water drainage design and survey. Natural England: April 2025: No objection.”

Officer report

People who spoke

One speaker opposed the application, while two speakers supported it and discussed funding, consultation, transport links, biodiversity and design.

Members’ discussion

Members highlighted the road’s importance to Huncoat Garden Village and its potential to remove some traffic from Huncoat.

“Members highlighted the importance of the application in reference to the larger Huncoat Garden Village Project. Noting that the road should remove some traffic from Huncoat.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members voted to approve the officer recommendation and delegate permission to the Head of Planning and Transportation, subject to satisfactory conditions.

“Resolved – Members voted to approve the officer recommendation and delegate powers to the Head of Planning and Transportation to grant planning permission subject to conditions to their satisfaction.”

Minutes