The Development Control Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, and approved three significant planning applications. These included a quarrying operation near Preesall, a waste processing facility at Hillhouse International Business Park, and a housing development at Stanifield Lane.

Quarrying Application Refused near Preesall

The committee refused planning permission for the extraction and processing of sand and gravel off Bourbles Lane, Preesall. The primary reasons for refusal were unacceptable impacts on highway safety and significant noise and dust pollution affecting nearby residential properties.

Despite acknowledging the need for sand and gravel supplies in Lancashire, the committee found that the proposed development's proximity to homes and the narrow, winding local roads presented insurmountable issues. Councillor Clive Balchin stated, this proposal is wrong. Plain, fundamentally and unavoidably wrong, highlighting concerns about the suitability of the roads for up to 75 heavy goods vehicles daily. Numerous residents also voiced objections regarding noise, dust, and traffic, with one resident describing their home as being at ground zero. The officer's report concluded that the combination of the amenity impacts, and highway safety implications outweigh the benefits of this proposal.

Waste Processing Facility Approved at Hillhouse International Business Park

Planning permission was granted for a new building at Plot CL5, West Road, Hillhouse International Business Park, Fleetwood, for the processing of household, commercial, and industrial waste to produce solid recovered fuel (SRF). The facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to generate around 40 heavy goods vehicle movements daily.

Concerns raised during the consultation period included traffic volumes, odour, noise, and potential land and air contamination. However, the Environment Agency raised no objection, and Lancashire County Council Highways Development Control concluded that the development would not have a significant impact on highway safety. The committee was assured that environmental permit regulations would manage pollution control, and recommended conditions were imposed to address noise, drainage, and ecological matters, including a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain.

Housing Development Approved at Stanifield Lane

A reserved matters application for 74 dwellings at Land at Stanifield Lane, north of Stoney Lane and west of Old School Lane, was approved. This development forms the first phase of the wider Cuerden Strategic site. The approved plans include a mix of three and four-bedroom houses, with associated infrastructure, landscaping, and a play area.

A key point of discussion was the absence of affordable housing, with the applicant submitting a viability assessment arguing that the scheme would not be viable if affordable housing were included. This was accepted by the county council's independent review. Concerns were also raised by Farington Parish Council and a local resident regarding the lack of two-bedroom properties and the positioning of the play area. The committee also noted the proximity of the development to the Grade II listed Old School House, but concluded that the impact would be less than substantial and outweighed by public benefits. Conditions were attached regarding landscaping, ecological management, and noise mitigation.