Retail food store at Land At Norcross Lane, Thornton, Cleveleys

What was proposed

The application proposed a new food store with parking, servicing, landscaping, an electricity substation and highway alterations.

“Proposal Erection of a new retail food store together with associated car parking, servicing areas and landscaping including the provision of an electricity substation, and alterations to the highway…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The largely vacant site lies within the settlement boundary, beside housing, a veterinary building, Green Belt land and Norcross Roundabout.

“The application site is approximately 0.9 hectares in size and is broadly rectangular in shape. It is bounded by Norcross Lane to the south, with new residential development to the north and west which is partially still under construction. The site is largely vacant other than a redundant property, Robinson House, in the south west corner. The remainder of the site is mostly hardstanding, with some overgrown vegetation.”

“The site is located within the settlement boundary for Thornton-Cleveleys, although immediately to the south and east is land designated as Green Belt within the Wyre Local Plan 2011-2031 (WLP). The site also forms part of WLP allocation SA1/9, including the land to the north and west, which is allocated…”

Officer report

What people said

There were 147 public comments: 79 objections, 65 supports and three neutral comments, with supporters citing community benefits, choice, walking access and employment.

“At the time of compiling this report 147 public comments have been received. Of these, 79 object to the application, 65 support the application and 3 have raised neutral comments.”

“Letters of support generally note that the proposal would be a good use of land, an asset to the community diversifying choice, allow local residents to walk to a supermarket, the existing store being too small and that it would provide more employment opportunities.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, while Councillor Vincent, the ward councillor, spoke against the application and answered questions.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the development’s local benefits and the proposed drainage scheme, including an added requirement for a final detailed drainage strategy.

“Assistant Director of Planning & Building Control explained that the update sheet only added a pre-commencement condition to add the requirement for a final detailed drainage strategy to be submitted.”

“Councillors discussed the benefit of the development on the local area and the proposed drainage scheme.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions and a legal agreement securing travel-planning and biodiversity contributions.

“Councillor Livesey proposed the recommendation to grant full planning permission subject to conditions and a S106 legal agreement to secure financial contributions towards Travel Planning and to appropriately secure Biodiversity Net Gain.”

“In the event that a satisfactory Section 106 agreement is not concluded by 23rd December 2025, or other date agreed in writing with the Council, delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the obligations which make the development acceptable have not been legally secured.”

Minutes