The Planning Committee met to consider three planning applications. Two were approved and one was refused.

Hambleton Flood Defences

The Committee approved a planning application from the Environment Agency to construct flood defences for Hambleton.

The flood defences proposed for Hambleton are designed to provide protection against a 1 in 200-year flood event. The defences would be 1.2km in length, running along the eastern bank of the River Wyre, from Wardleys Marine Yacht Club in the north to land adjacent to Peg’s Pool to the south.

The defences would consist of a combination of earth embankments, concrete flood walls with natural stone cladding, flood gates and two permanent passing bays. The scheme also includes for a saltmarsh habitat compensation site to be created at Rawcliffe Road to compensate for habitat loss in Hambleton.

The application was called in for consideration by Councillor Julie Robinson who had concerns about the overall scale of the application and its impact on Hambleton.

The application was objected to by both Hambleton Parish Council and Lancashire County Council as the local highways authority, and Lancashire County Council as the body responsible for public rights of way.

Hambleton Parish Council cited a large number of concerns with the application, including the impact on public rights of way, the visual amenity of the area, highways issues and the lack of consultation with the Parish Council.

Lancashire County Council as highways authority objected because the scheme would involve temporarily closing Kiln Lane and The Shore, for a period of up to 2 years, and diverting traffic along Wardleys Lane. They were also concerned about the likely impact on the integrity of the local road network and the potential disruption to residents and businesses that would result from the proposed works and temporary closures.

As the body responsible for Public Rights of Way, Lancashire County Council objected because the scheme would require temporarily diverting a number of Public Rights of Way, including the Wyre Way, and would result in a diversion of approximately 4.5km.

Natural England also objected to the scheme, raising concerns about the impact on a number of designated ecological sites in the area, including the Wyre Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest, Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary Special Protection Area and Morecambe Bay Ramsar. They asked for more information about the saltmarsh regeneration method statement and the rawcliffe road management plan, and about how the scheme would affect the integrity of the protected sites.

The applicant addressed Natural England’s concerns, and Natural England withdrew their objection. They advised that a Habitat Regulations Assessment should be undertaken and recommended that a number of conditions should be added to the planning permission to mitigate against the impacts of the scheme.

Lancashire County Council withdrew their objection to the scheme as highways authority, subject to a number of conditions being added to the permission to ensure the protection of the local highway network.

Lancashire County Council withdrew their objection to the scheme as public rights of way authority, subject to the applicant redesigning the temporary diversion route for Footpath FP0214018 to ensure a continuous pedestrian link for the duration of the works.

The Committee approved the application subject to 33 conditions. The conditions covered a wide range of issues, including:

• the submission and approval of a number of plans and documents, including a construction works phasing plan, an environmental action plan, a method statement for the control of invasive species, a construction environmental management plan and a construction traffic management plan
• the completion of the proposed works at Rawcliffe Road Compensation Site prior to the commencement of any works within designated ecological sites in Hambleton
• the width and surface of diverted Public Rights of Way
• the provision of an Ecological Clerk of Works during certain phases of construction
• the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce impacts on designated ecological sites
• the protection of United Utilities’ assets
• measures to control noise, dust and vibration during construction
• restrictions on the hours of construction
• the implementation of a scheme for archaeological protection

The conditions also required that the areas of land used for the construction compounds be restored to their original condition following the completion of the works.

The Committee noted that Wyre Council as the competent authority would undertake their own Habitats Regulations Assessment.

Land Off Garstang Bypass Road

The Committee approved an application from Toll Bar Limited for a mixed-use development on land at Garstang Bypass Road, Claughton-on-Brock.

The development proposed is for 3 storage and distribution units, an office building and 2 cafe/restaurants with drive-thru facilities. The site is allocated in the Wyre Local Plan for employment development.

The application was called in for consideration by Councillor Bolton who had concerns about the design and appearance of the proposed development.

The application attracted a large number of objections from local residents, with 240 letters of objection being received by the Council. 125 letters of support for the scheme were also received.

The objections raised concerns about a number of issues, including:

• increased traffic congestion on the A6
• road safety risks for drivers and pedestrians
• increased noise, light, odour and air pollution
• negative visual impacts on the area
• increased waste and litter
• negative impacts on local businesses
• the encouragement of obesity

The letters of support stated that the scheme would:

• provide a safe place for young people to meet
• create jobs
• offer more food choices to local residents
• boost the local economy

The Committee approved the application subject to 33 conditions, relating to a wide range of issues, including:

• drainage and flood risk mitigation measures
• the provision of electric vehicle charging points
• highway improvements
• the provision of cycle parking
• the submission and approval of a site investigation scheme in relation to potential contamination
• the protection of nesting birds
• the implementation of biodiversity enhancement measures
• landscaping
• tree protection
• the appearance of the electricity substation
• the control of odour, noise and light pollution
• restrictions on the hours of construction and operation
• the submission and approval of a construction environmental management plan
• the prevention of deliveries outside of specified hours

12 Cambridge Road

The Committee approved an application from Mr Clough for the change of use of a dwelling at 12 Cambridge Road, Thornton-Cleveleys to a children’s residential home.

The proposal is for the change of use of the dwelling to a children’s home for one child, with up to two carers staying overnight on a rota basis.

The application was called in by Councillor Fail who had concerns about the concentration of children’s homes in the area and the lack of a commitment to prioritise the use for local children.

Lancashire County Council Children’s Services initially supported the proposal but were concerned that there was no commitment to giving priority to Lancashire children. In a later response, they stated that they would not support any new solo homes in the area because they prefer to place children who need a solo home into a two-child facility.

One letter of objection was received from a member of the public. They raised concerns about the impact on parking, noise and security.

The Committee approved the application subject to 6 conditions, relating to:

• the number of children to be cared for at the premises
• the provision of an electric vehicle charging point
• flood risk mitigation measures

The committee noted that Lancashire County Council as the local highways authority had raised no objections to the scheme.