A new affordable housing development in Goosnargh looks set for approval.

Despite more than 160 objections from nearby residents, a number of parish councils and one of the city’s MPs planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.

PWA Planning lodged the proposals for 140 new homes off Mill Lane, at land on Bushells Farm in the village on the outskirts of Preston.

The land, owned by Mr Gerald Gornall, is being developed in conjunction with the Community Gateway Association.

45 per cent of the new homes on the 8.7 hectare site would be labelled as affordable.

Executive director of customers and communities at Community Gateway Louise Mattinson said at the time of the application: “We are delighted to be involved in this development as it provides affordable housing in a popular location where there are few alternative affordable options.

“Being involved in the design and the application means we can provide more affordable housing and homes that are of a suitable size and quality to meet the needs of the local community.”

Whittingham Parish Council and Goosnargh Parish Council have joined forces to object to the development.

They state the city council’s five-year housing supply figure needs recalculating and it is in an ‘unsustainable location’.

Read more: Developers want to build new homes along James Towers Way

Ben Wallace MP for Preston North and Wyre said the stalling of the Whittingham Hospital development demonstrates there is no demand for this development.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England has also objected saying the proposal threatens land in the countryside.

Michelle Woodburn from the Goosnargh and Whittingham Against Overdevelopment campaign group said: “I have written to Community Gateway Association with a list of questions, mainly about why they have chosen to build these homes in Goosnargh when we don’t have the infrastructure or facilities.

“It’s not a hive of industry here, so where will these people work?

“For schools, we do not have the capacity to fulfill the numbers that all these planning applications will bring.

“In terms of buses, we were promised improved bus services with the passing of 650 homes on the Whittingham hospital site, but it has not happened.

“We’ve had no answers from Gateway and Preston City Council say they have no other option but to recommend for approval because they cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of housing. Government advice suggests they re-visit and recalculate this. Why haven’t they done so?

“Common sense has not come into play at all. No green field is safe from development and we need to do something to stop this.”

Councillors are due to meet on Thursday 10 January to consider the proposals at the city council’s planning committee.

Read more: All the new homes in Preston which have recently been approved

Do you live in the area? What do you think about the plans? Let us know in the comments below