Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has thrown his support behind residents campaigning against plans by Wain Homes to build more than 100 houses off Normoss Road in Poulton-le-Fylde.
The planning application, which is expected to come before Wyre Council’s Planning Committee in the next few months, has already attracted 466 objections from local residents.
Andrew has been supporting the residents’ campaign and believes the proposed development is completely inappropriate for the area. The site is on Green Belt land, while residents have also raised serious concerns about highway safety, the risk of flooding and whether the local sewer network and wider infrastructure have sufficient capacity to support another major housing development.
Andrew Snowden MP said:
“This is a completely inappropriate development, and I am firmly backing local residents in their campaign against it.
“Not only would more than 100 houses be built on Green Belt land, but there are major concerns about highway safety, flooding, sewer capacity and the wider pressure this development would place on local infrastructure.
“These issues cannot simply be brushed aside. They need to be properly considered before any decision is made, and I hope councillors will listen to residents and reject this application.
“The local campaign group has done an incredible job. Securing 466 objections demonstrates the strength of feeling in the community and the very real concerns people have about what is being proposed.
“Unfortunately, it is becoming harder and harder for communities to fight inappropriate housing developments like this one.
Poulton resident and member of local action group, Tom Smith said
"Poulton has suffered more than most from indiscriminate building and the residents have had enough. Our Action Group are delighted that 466 people have objected to the plans, but with only 3 people supporting it, that should convince the Planning Committee that there is no appetite for another large development.
"The proposed entrance to the site is via Marina Avenue or Kerslea Avenue. Very few houses have garages, so they require on street parking, this covers both sides of the road, leaving only enough space for one vehicle entry and exit. It already causes chaos at busy times, if you add in the traffic that another 103 houses will bring, the whole system will grind to a halt and greatly increase the possibility of accidents.
"Other issues that are a great cause for concern with local residents are the size of the development, the increase in flooding in the area, the very dangerous temporary construction traffic entrance and exit, onto an already very busy Normoss Road. The lack of infrastructure has also never been resolved to cope with these developments."
Andrew Snowden MP added,
“The Government has massively increased the number of houses it expects to be built across Fylde and Wyre. Over the next ten years, our area is now being asked to accommodate around 10,000 additional homes. That is the equivalent of building a new town twice the size of Kirkham and Wesham.
“That level of development simply is not sustainable. Our roads, schools, GP surgeries, drainage systems and other local services are already under pressure, while more and more of our countryside and Green Belt is being placed at risk.
“That is why I have launched my Save Our Green Belt petition, calling on the Government to reduce the number of houses it is demanding are built in our area.
“I will continue supporting residents in Normoss and across Fylde who are standing up against inappropriate and unsustainable development.”
The planning application is expected to be considered by Wyre Council in the coming months.
