Plan for homes on farmland rejected for third time

Developers first submitted proposals to build on part of Swainson House Farm in 2019

A plan to build more than 100 houses on a former farm in Lancashire has been rejected for a third time in five years.

Developers first submitted proposals to build on part of the Swainson House Farm plot in Goosnargh on the outskirts of Preston in 2019.

Preston City Council's planning committee refused permission for 95 properties off Goosnargh Lane, after hearing the authority now has enough land to meet its housing targets.

The plans had attracted dozens of public objections - some over traffic concerns - but the developer had argued the estate would have included affordable housing so had "societal benefits".

A month ago, committee members had been advised by council planning officers to approve the scheme in order to bridge what was then a shortfall in its housing land supply over the next five years – the minimum period which local authorities are expected to be able to cover.

However, a decision could not be taken last month as there were not enough councillors present to reach a verdict.

Since then, an update to Preston's housing land figures means the authority can now demonstrate a 6.7-year supply.

'Cumulative impact'

Whittingham parish councillor David Price told the committee: "It is literally the last place where a development site should be permitted.

"The impact would be huge."

Previous refusals of plans to develop the area had seen the council argue that the "cumulative impact" of the developments would have harmed the character of the village.

Helen Leggett, the agent for the application, urged the committee to consider "the wider societal benefits" of the blueprint.

She said the estate would include affordable housing and warned the five-year supply figure was "a minimum and not a ceiling".

"It should not act as an automatic barrier to sustainable, well-designed developments, especially when they address a local need," Ms Leggett added.