Longridge homes plan changes again after fears over open space and loss of pond

A bid to change some details of a phased development of over 50 new homes in a Ribble Valley town has raised fears about the loss of open space, a pond and public access, and accusations of ‘unlawfully dumped soil’ and site levels being different to those approved.

But now further proposals have been put forward in recent weeks which represent positive changes, councillors are being told. The application covers land off Chapel Hill at Hall Barn Drive, Longridge.

Applicant Karl Illingworth, of Stockport Developments Ltd, had wanted to change some details with a variation application submitted in July 2023. But in recent weeks, councillors called for talks about the variations and now new alternatives are proposed. Councillors on Ribble Valley’ planning committee are due look at the latest details this week.

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The Longridge site is a partly constructed housing development off Chapel Hill, south of St Cecilia’s High School. Planning permission for the scheme was first considered back in 2012. Consent was given for 52 new houses, conversion of a former barn to a home and refurbishment of an existing house.

Permission was later varied in 2014 and again in 2015, allowing for phased development. Then an new application came last summer to vary some elements.

Variations

Planning laws do allow for minor changes, according to a council report. In this case, the applicant wanted to change some of the layout at the southern end, realign some paths and roads, and remove a pond which had been previously agreed for the open space.

But a number of objections were received from residents. One asked if ground levels would be restored to those originally approved and to ‘remove all unlawfully dumped spoil which has raised the site levels and been an eyesore for many years’.

Another comment support an element in the new application to restore site levels to original levels by removing soil ‘deposited in the east side’. Another asked if there is a way to confirm if ‘as-built’ levels were the same as levels approved in the plan?

Other comments highlighted no public access to the housing site’s green space or a footpath link to Chapel Brow. There were also worries about more houses being built on the open space and loss of the pond.

However, some objections raised safety concerns about a new pond ‘without any risk assessment’ or claimed planning conditions were being ignored.

Latest ideas

However, there has been a further change recently. Following the May planning committee meeting, councillors called for planning officers to negotiate the reinstatement of the pond.

Now, amended plans show the pond. The application is being brought back to councillors for a decision ‘with this positive change having been made’, the council report adds.

In addition, the agent has been asked to revert back to an approved footpath route in the northern section of open space. New revised plans now show this, which is another positive change, officers say.

In addition, a condition has been updated to reflect the concern about
public access to the open space. And United Utilities has no objections to an alternative drain solution including discharge rates.

Planning officers are recommending the latest application be deferred by councillors and delegated to Ribble Valley’s planning director for approval, following a legal agreement and with various conditions.