Preston City Council response after Wainhomes win appeal to build in Barton

A planning inspector has ruled 151 new homes at Cardwell’s Farm in Barton, off the A6, can be built.

A third of the development is due to be allocated for social housing.

Posted on the Preston City Council twitter feed the statement describes the council as being ‘extremely disappointed’ at the decision made by the Planning Inspector allowing developers to build on land at Cardwell’s farm.

The reaction describes the housing plan proposed by Wainhomes as being ‘not suitable.’ Due to the rural, countryside location the developers intend to build within.

Councillor Peter Moss, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulations said: “We are extremely disappointed with the decision made by the Planning Inspector regarding the land at Cardwell Farm in Barton. The Council made a robust and professional defence of its case and I remain convinced that our position was sound.

“In particular, this decision highlights an inconsistent approach to appeal decisions by the Planning Inspectorate across Central Lancashire and unfortunately endorses a developer-led approach to planning. This is in spite of the fact they accept that housing delivery in Preston is ‘excellent’ and we are jointly positioned as 8th nationally in the Government’s housing delivery test.

“Our position remains that the planning application submitted for the land at Cardwell Farm is not suitable, due its location in open countryside. As outlined in the Officer’s Report prior to the Planning Committee decision to refuse the application in February 2020, the application is contrary to the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and Local Plan. The scale of the proposed development is too large to be appropriate for the site and would clearly lead to unplanned expansion of Barton, a rural village.

“We are committed to delivering real homes for real people in need, but these must be in the right places, ensuring they are in sustainable locations outlined by the development plan.

“Officers prepared a comprehensive suite of evidence and robustly defended the Council’s position. However, as I have said so many times before, planning is a complex area which leaves much to the interpretation of individual Planning Inspectors and, to the detriment of the Council and residents, far too often favours developers.

“We know that the Parish Council and many residents share our disappointment with this outcome, and I would like to reassure everyone that we are carefully considering our options in moving forward.”

The appeal made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 launched against Preston City Councils refusal to grant outline planning permission won on 9 March.

As a result Wainhomes have now been given the go-ahead for up to 151 new builds on land at Cardwell Farm, Garstang Road in Barton, Preston.

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Blog Preston has approached Wainhomes for comment.