A new artist impression of how the development at the Broughton crossroads may look

Despite hundreds of objections from nearby residents, a village’s MP and parish council the demolition of an Indian restaurant looks set to go ahead.

Preston City Council’s planning department has recommended proposals for the Touch of Spice site in Garstang Road.

Midas Land Ltd have applied to knock down the restaurant, which was previously the Golden Ball pub, and build a three-storey apartment block along with a two-storey office block and shops.

Initial plans were tabled in August before being amended in early December, with a change in layout for the residential part of the scheme.

Wyre and Preston North MP Ben Wallace says notifications and display of the site notice have not been good enough.

Conservative group leader and Preston Rural North councillor Neil Cartwright says ‘the proposed development would appear out of place with surroundings’.

They are joined by 131 letters of objection from residents in Broughton.

 

Broughton Parish Council have objected saying the development does not fully comply with its recently voted-on Neighbourhood Plan.

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Council officers, in recommending the scheme for approval, state: “The proposed uses would be acceptable in this location, and it is considered that the loss of the current employment use would be acceptable, as new employment uses would be provided. The setting of relevant non-designated heritage assets have been assessed, and it is considered that the identified harm would be outweighed by the significant public benefits to be delivered by the proposed scheme.

“The proposed development is also considered acceptable in terms of its impact on visual and residential amenity, highway impact, drainage, flooding, energy efficiency, air quality and ground conditions subject to the conditions imposed.”

Read more: Work to commence at the Broughton crossroads in the New Year

Councillors are due to consider the plans at the Town Hall on Thursday 10 January for planning committee.

What do you think of the proposals for a Touch of Spice? Let us know your views in the comments below