The Development Control Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss and approve two significant planning applications. The committee granted permission for the reconfiguration of a major road junction in South Ribble Borough and for the change of use of open space to an outdoor classroom in Hyndburn Borough.

Hyndburn Borough: Outdoor Classroom Approved

The committee approved a planning application for a change of use of an area of open space to an outdoor educational area for Woodnook Primary School in Accrington. The proposal, part of the council's Levelling Up Fund bid, will create an outdoor learning environment for pupils, addressing the current lack of natural play spaces at the school.

While the development involves the loss of 0.12 hectares of public open space, this is considered a relatively small area compared to the overall 1.6 hectares of designated open space in the vicinity. To offset this loss, the applicant will undertake enhancements to the remaining open space, including surfacing informal paths, planting new trees and shrubs, and seeding wildflower meadows. These improvements are intended to provide equivalent or better provision in terms of quality and quantity, satisfying the requirements of Policy DM21 of the Hyndburn Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD).

Concerns raised by local residents regarding noise, flooding, and anti-social behaviour were addressed. The committee noted that the proposed fencing would prevent unauthorised access outside of school hours, and the limited hard surfacing would not increase run-off rates. The visual impact of the 2-metre high fencing was considered acceptable, with conditions set for its colour and the implementation of new landscaping. The proposal also includes a biodiversity net gain, ensuring a minimum 10% uplift in biodiversity value.

South Ribble Borough: A582 Junction Reconfiguration Approved

The committee also approved plans for the reconfiguration of the Croston Road junction on the A582 in Farington Moss, Preston. This significant infrastructure project aims to improve traffic flow and journey times by replacing the existing double roundabout with three interconnected signal-controlled T-junctions. The scheme includes the installation of Toucan crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, rerouting of Centurion Way, and the construction of a water attenuation pond and landscaping areas.

A key consideration for this application was the loss of approximately one hectare of land allocated for employment use under Policy E1(d) of the South Ribble Local Plan. However, the committee determined that this area had limited development potential due to constraints such as the River Lostock and the existing highway layout. The benefits of the improved infrastructure, including enhanced access to businesses like Leyland Trucks and support for wider road network improvements, were deemed to outweigh the loss of this constrained employment land. The proposal was considered a departure from the Development Plan, but the committee found it to be in the public interest.

The development is located within the Green Belt, but the committee concluded that the transport infrastructure improvements would preserve its openness and not conflict with its purposes, aligning with Exception (h)(iii) of Paragraph 154 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Environmental concerns were also addressed. The scheme includes measures for biodiversity net gain, with conditions to manage landscaping and ecological mitigation. A comprehensive flood risk assessment was submitted, and the Lead Local Flood Authority withdrew its objection subject to specific conditions regarding drainage and water management. The County Archaeology Service recommended a more detailed strip, map and record approach for archaeological investigation, which has been incorporated into the planning conditions. United Utilities raised concerns about water mains and sewers, which will be addressed through further detailed submissions and conditions.

The committee also noted the decisions taken by the Director of Environment and Regulatory in accordance with the County Council's Scheme of Delegation, as detailed in the update sheet.