Plans for seaside homes come with conditions

The site for the proposed housing development is off Cropper Road, Blackpool

A developer has been told it can build 350 new houses on the edge of a seaside town as long as it provides cash for extra local services.

Wain Homes has sought full planning permission for a residential development on land off Cropper Road in Blackpool, bounded by Progress Way and School Road.

The application has been recommended for approval when it goes before Fylde’s planning committee, once 106 agreements have been reached.

These include requirements for the developer to give more than £2m towards additional school places in the area and the expansion of the Harris Medical Centre.

The application has been recommended for approval by a planning committee

Funding must also be given to support a regular bus service to link the site with St Annes and Blackpool for five years.

'Flood risk'

In a report to the committee, planning officers acknowledged the scheme would mean the loss of open space and that the site is a flood risk.

But the land is designated for residential development in the Fylde Local Plan.

The application attracted 19 public comments.

Concerns included the loss of open space and wildlife habitats and fears Cropper Road would not be able to cope with the extra traffic generated by the development.

The planning report said the proposed design and layout had been "significantly influenced" to properly manage flood risk.

It added the development "had the potential" to impact upon protected species which included bats, owls, badgers, otters, voles and newts.

Officers said the flood risk management plan was acceptable and a survey in March said the proposals would not harm protected species.

“Whilst the proposed development affects large areas of currently open space, the proposed scheme would also include relatively extensive areas of improved habitat," officers added.

Wain Homes has already built 255 new homes on other sites off Cropper Road.

It is also seeking planning permission for 266 affordable homes on open grassland at nearby Old House Lane.