The Lancashire County Council's Development Control Committee met to discuss planning applications, ultimately deferring a decision on a new primary school in Preston and approving conditions for another. The committee also noted the withdrawal of an application concerning land at Round O Quarry in West Lancashire.

Cottam Primary School Expansion

The committee reviewed an application for extensions and alterations to Cottam Primary School, with the aim of expanding it to a two-form entry school accommodating 420 pupils. The proposal included a new vehicular and pedestrian access, a car park, a multi-use games area, a single-storey extension with four classrooms, a studio, WCs, a plant room, a group room, and a 2.4m high fence.

Several concerns were raised:

• Parking and Traffic: Councillor County Martyn Sutton voiced concerns about parking issues around schools, stating that the proposed two drop-off parking spaces were insufficient. He suggested a one-way system for drop-offs.
• Sport England's Response: Councillor Lord questioned the potential conflict with Sport England's playing fields policy, but acknowledged the benefits of the multi-use games area for the community.
• Habitats Regulation Offence: It was noted that the report indicated a potential offence under the habitats regulation would be likely.

Despite these concerns, the committee was asked to grant planning permission, subject to the Secretary of State confirming that the application will not be called in for determination, and subject to conditions detailed in Appendix A of the Report.

Land off Henry Littler Way/Whittingham Lane, Goosnargh, Preston

The committee discussed an application for the development of a new two-form entry, 420-place primary school with an associated 16-place special educational needs unit, car parking, hard and soft play areas, and a drop-off area on land off Henry Littler Way/Whittingham Lane, Goosnargh.

Several councillors raised concerns about the safety of the proposed turning area for coaches and other large vehicles. Councillor County Maria Jones moved a motion to defer the decision, to allow further investigation into:

...a revision of the current proposed subsection one access and egress to the site subsection two drop off and pick up locations subsection three coach turning location stroke head and two for new proposals for alternatives to the above as a result of concerns expressed by the committee into highway safety...

Jonathan Edwards, Lancashire County Council, highway development control manager, reminded the committee that they could only consider what was in front of them and that Neil Stephens, Lancashire County Council, highway development control manager, was satisfied that the designs met the relevant requirements.

Despite this, the committee voted to defer the decision for further consideration.

Land at Round O Quarry, West Lancashire

The committee noted that the application concerning land at Round O Quarry had been withdrawn by the applicant prior to the meeting. Councillor County Adrian Owens requested a report back to the next committee meeting on 15 October regarding outstanding breaches of planning conditions and conditions that had not been discharged.