B8 storage and distribution at Land Adjacent To 155 Southport New Road, Tarleton, Preston

“Removal of Condition 8 (withdrawn during determination), which originally sought to allow diesel forklift trucks in place of electric models.”

“Removal of Condition 9, which prohibits external storage, to permit outdoor storage of piling materials associated with the site’s current operations.”

“The application site comprises a previously developed (brownfield) parcel of land located adjacent to 151–155 Southport New Road (A565), Tarleton. The site forms part of the ‘Front Land’ identified in the planning history and has a long-standing commercial use, historically as a haulage yard and more recently for storage and distribution under Use Class B8.”

“The land contains remnants of built structures and areas of hardstanding. It is bounded by agricultural fields and residential properties and lies within a semi-rural setting designated as Green Belt in the West Lancashire Local Plan.”

“8/90/223 – Retention of parking area for commercial vehicles and staff cars. This established the historic haulage yard use on the Front Land (Sui Generis).”

“2001/0795 – Full planning permission granted for the change of use of the Front Land to the storage and distribution of agricultural produce, including erection of a storage building and provision of car parking spaces. Use restricted to agricultural produce under Use Class B8.”

“The application seeks to vary conditions associated with an existing lawful haulage yard use at land adjacent 155 Southport New Road, a site with a complex planning history and designation as previously developed land within the Green Belt. The proposal does not involve new built development and is considered to have no greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing use.”

“The applicant has demonstrated a willingness to address amenity concerns through the submission of a Noise Impact Assessment and the proposed installation of an acoustic fence. Environmental Health has reviewed the technical findings and recommended conditions to ensure noise levels are appropriately controlled, including a modern noise control standard to ensure site noise remains within strict limits compared to normal background levels.”

“Lancashire County Council Highways (12/09/2025) – No objection, subject to the following condition: “No deliveries, collections or servicing shall take place directly from the public highway. All such activities must be undertaken within the curtilage of the site.”

“WLBC Environmental Protection – Environmental Health (01/10/2025) – No objection in principle to the variation of B8 use restrictions, provided neighbouring properties do not suffer adverse noise impacts.”

“Amenity Impacts: The objector reports significant disturbance from early morning operations (from 6:30am), including noise from HGVs, forklift trucks, and pile handling. Concerns are also raised about loss of privacy due to overlooking from the yard into bedroom windows, resulting in sleep disturbance and a reduction in residential amenity.”

“Noise and landscaping: Concerns are expressed regarding the adequacy of the proposed acoustic fencing and the absence of landscaping, which was conditioned under the original 2001 permission but allegedly not implemented. The removal of conifer trees planted by the objector is said to have exacerbated noise and privacy issues.”

“A. That planning application 2025/0728/FUL be approved, subject to conditions, as set out at paragraph 12.”

“B. That additional conditions be imposed on the application to address landscaping, improved surfacing, and provision of adequate space for the parking and manoeuvring of vehicles. The final wording of these conditions shall be agreed in consultation with the Chairperson and Councillor E Pope.”