The Wyre Borough Council Planning Committee met to discuss several planning applications and tree preservation orders, ultimately deciding to refuse four applications, defer one, and confirm a tree preservation order with modifications. Key concerns raised during the meeting included the impact of developments on the character of the countryside, flood risk, and the preservation of historic buildings and trees.

Tree Preservation Order No 3: Land adjacent Garstang Road and Rising End, Bowgreave

The committee considered objections to Wyre Borough Council Tree Preservation Order No 3 of 2025, concerning land adjacent to Garstang Road and Rising End, Bowgreave (PR3 1YD). The council's Director of Environment recommended that the order be confirmed with modifications. After reviewing the objections, the committee resolved to confirm the Tree Preservation Order No 3, but with a modification to exclude T1 Fir and one sycamore from within G2, based on a report from the Director of Environment.

The main points of contention were:

• Lancashire County Council (LCC), as the landowner, objected to the order, stating it created uncertainty for potential developers, especially since planning permission already enabled the removal of tree T1. LCC also argued that its trees were under a comprehensive management regime, making the TPO unnecessary and a bureaucratic burden.
• The council's Tree Officer argued the TPO was made due to a perceived threat to the trees and to maintain public amenity. The officer noted the historical presence of mature trees along the western boundary and aimed to prevent erosion of this tree cover.
• The Tree Officer agreed to exclude T1 Fir, acknowledging existing planning permission for its removal. They also recommended excluding one mature sycamore from G2 due to its declining vitality.
• The Tree Officer highlighted that a tree report within the planning application was preliminary and did not align fully with approved site plans regarding tree retention. They suggested a professional re-inspection and update of the tree report.

Application 1: Land West Of Highgate Lane, Stalmine-with-Staynall

The committee discussed an application for the erection of a stable block, sand paddock, new vehicular access and track, parking area and hardstanding, for private use (part retrospective) on land west of Highgate Lane, Stalmine-with-Staynall. The application had been deferred from a previous meeting to address concerns about flood risk, discrepancies in plans, and visibility splays[^2]. The committee resolved to defer the application for officers to liaise with the applicant to allow further consideration and opportunity to overcome:

• Flood Risk Sequential Test (FRST) Officer to liaise with applicant/agent to address the FRST and provide further clarification on availability of potential alternative sites
• Discrepancies in the site/location plan and
• To provide revised plans showing visibility splays for both access points

The Planning Development Manager stated that the site was in Flood Zones 2 and 3b, with part of the site at risk of surface water flooding. Despite the applicant providing a flood risk assessment and emergency plan, the sequential test on flooding had not been passed, as no additional or revised information had been submitted. Lancashire County Council Highways had raised concerns that visibility splays had not been provided on the plans.

Application 2: Ashley House Farm, Smallwood Hey Road, Pilling

The committee considered an application for the proposed change of use of land to extend domestic curtilage, use of existing stables as domestic storage and erection of replacement stable building (part retrospective) at Ashley House Farm, Smallwood Hey Road, Pilling. The committee resolved to refuse the application.

The main reasons for refusal were:

• The site is located in the countryside, which is protected for its open and rural character. The proposal was considered to be commercial in nature and it was unclear whether the building design was suitable for the purpose intended.
• The development did not follow the sequential approach in the selection of the site, contrary to Policy EP10 of the Adopted Wyre Local Plan.

Application 3: 1 Carleton Way, Poulton-Le-Fylde

The committee discussed an application for the proposed erection of a 2m high fence to the north and east elevation of the dwelling, with associated soft landscaping at 1 Carleton Way, Poulton-Le-Fylde. The committee resolved to refuse the application.

The main reason for refusal was:

• The proposed boundary fence would be visually detrimental to the street scene and harmful to the character of the open plan area.

Application 4: Land Adjacent Duncombe House, Garstang Road, Bilsborrow

The committee considered a reserved matters application for the erection of 1 no. dwelling (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) following outline planning permission 22/00122/OUT on land adjacent to Duncombe House, Garstang Road, Bilsborrow. The committee resolved to refuse the application.

The main reasons for refusal were:

• The proposed two-storey dwelling would be out of keeping with the character of this section of the A6 and would result in a dominating impact when viewed from the highway and the canal towpath.
• The submitted soft landscaping details were insufficient.
• One habitable bedroom within the proposed dwelling would not be served by a window.

Application 5: Fleetwood Radar Station, The Esplanade, Fleetwood

The committee discussed an application for the change of use of former naval radar station to a residential dwelling (C3) with sewage treatment plant at Fleetwood Radar Station, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. The committee resolved to refuse the application.

The main reason for refusal was:

• The proposed sewage treatment plant to be located in the beach beneath the existing building raised unacceptable concerns of an adverse impact on the amenity of the occupants of the proposed dwelling from odours. Furthermore, this part of the development would be at an unacceptable risk of flooding and would not ensure that the water quality of coastal waters would be protected.

Application 6: Fleetwood Radar Station, The Esplanade, Fleetwood

The committee considered a listed building consent application for internal and external alterations to former naval radar station, with installation of bathroom and WC, sewage treatment tank, and external painting of the walls and windows (part retrospective) at Fleetwood Radar Station, The Esplanade, Fleetwood. The committee resolved to refuse the application.

The main reason for refusal was:

• The application contained insufficient information to fully assess the impacts of the proposed development on the significance of the Listed Building, including whether or not features of key importance (timber floors and open underside of building) would be retained in association with the development, with a lack of information on the internal timber floors, and proposed drainage pipework.

Tree Preservation Order No 2: Morningside, 30 Bonds Lane, Bonds

The committee considered the objection to the making of Wyre Borough Council Tree Preservation Order No 2 of 2025: Morningside, 30 Bonds Lane, Bonds. The Director of Environment recommended that the order be confirmed without modification. The committee resolved to confirm the Tree Preservation Order No 2 without modification.

The main points of contention were:

• A neighbour objected to the order, stating it mainly benefited the tree owner and limited their rights as property owners. They argued the council had not followed its own guidance on expediency, as there was no clear threat to the tree. They also mentioned the tree blocked light and created leaf debris.
• The council's Tree Officer argued the TPO was made due to a perceived threat to the tree and to maintain public amenity.