Two Liverpool businesses are set to see multi-million pound plans to build 130 new homes approved by planners. Tony McDonough reports
A planning officer is recommending approval on a multi-million pound plan to build 130 homes being proposed by two Liverpool businesses.
Developer BXB Thornton is a joint venture between Liverpool developer Promenade Estates and brownfield land specialist BXB. It is looking to build the homes on a site on Fleetwood Road North in Thornton Cleveleys, near Fleetwood.
Following an earlier deferment of the application, a planning officer for the local authority is now recommending approval of the project.
Designed by Liverpool architects Brock Carmichael, the scheme will also deliver a new link road into the Hillhouse enterprise zone if consent is granted, says BXB director Gary Goodman.
He added: “We’ve had a very constructive dialogue with the local authority and are pleased to be back before the planning committee with another recommendation to approve.
“The land is allocated for housing and will help the authority meet its targets, but as importantly it will play a key role in opening up more land for commercial development at the enterprise zone.
“Job creation and long-term commercial investment has never been more vital and we would be pleased to make such a key contribution to the local economy.”
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Mr Goodman says that the scale of upfront investment needed to make the site available for building new homes means that it is not possible to fully support other desired investments, such as affordable housing.
“There’s a lot going into the ground to enable us to deliver the site,” he explained. “Issues such as drainage, site levels, biodiversity mitigation and the building of the link road all pose challenges to the scheme’s overall viability.”
The application followed an extensive public consultation, with almost 1,800 households and businesses surrounding the site behind the popular Iron Horse public house invited to submit their views on the scheme.
The planning application will be heard at Wyre Council’s next planning committee on 1st February.