Opposition councillors on South Ribble Borough Council have come out against a major new housing development in Penwortham.

The Labour group in South Ribble has written to campaigners wanting to stop the Pickering’s Farm development.

Nearly 2,000 new homes, a new primary school, recreation facilities and other community facilities would be built off Bee Lane.

A second consultation on the proposed housing development, put forward by house-builder Taylor Wimpey, has concluded in early January and plans for the site are due to be submitted during March this year.

A statement, sent to Blog Preston by campaigners, confirms South Ribble Labour leader councillor Paul Foster will support objections to the scheme.

Prospective Labour councillor for Lostock Hall Matthew Lawrence Trafford said on behalf of the party: “Our position is that we are opposed to the presented development and will campaign against this presented plan in the local elections. We believe it has fundamental flaws, particularly around infrastructure provision.

“If the Masterplan is to go ahead, it must address the issue of air pollution in Penwortham and Lostock Hall, our residents are being choked and enough is enough. Likewise, if it is to go ahead, all major infrastructure must be in place prior to any houses being built, addressing air quality issues and the chronic traffic congestion in the area.

“We do also believe the cross-borough link road ought to be in place before any houses are built. We will also commit to pre-funding this to ensure it is constructed immediately.

“A South Ribble Labour administration would also commit to a detailed review of the Bee Lane/Pickerings Farm Masterplan, along with local planing policy if elected in May. We are prepared to change local planning policy to protect the wellbeing of residents. People come first not corporations.

“The above would be our policies if elected as an administration in May. In the meantime, the Labour group intends to oppose the Masterplan. However, with a Conservative-majority council, the Labour group’s power is extremely restricted and if we are elected in May there may well be developments taking place that a council does not have the power to stop altogether, we are confident that we would still be able to heavily restrict such developments in this scenario.”

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Campaign chairman for the Keep Bee Lane Rural Action Group Graham Eastham said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. This Labour group have obviously listened to the local residents and taken their well-being into consideration. We are now hoping that the other political groups will soon follow suit.”

Taylor Wimpey say the new homes are needed to meet the growing population demands.

Senior strategic land and planning manager Kate McClean said previously: “Working together, Taylor Wimpey and Homes England are committed to engagement with residents and stakeholders to establish a Masterplan that local people can be proud of.

“Pickering’s Farm will establish the new homes that South Ribble is identified to need, alongside a range of new community services which can be used by both new and existing residents. The includes the provision of a new local centre, primary school and the extension of community facilities at Penwortham Community Centre.”

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What do you think about the Pickering’s Farm development? What do you make of Labour’s comments? Let us know in the comments below