The Development Control Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss planning applications and other development control matters. The committee granted planning permission for an outdoor classroom at Woodnook Primary School in Accrington and for significant highway improvements at the Croston Road junction on the A582 near Preston. The committee also noted decisions made by the Director of Environment and Regulatory under the council's scheme of delegation.

Outdoor Classroom at Woodnook Primary School, Accrington

The committee granted planning permission for a change of use of an area of greenspace to an outdoor educational area for Woodnook Primary School in Accrington. The proposal, part of the County Council's Levelling Up Fund bid, will provide an outdoor learning environment for pupils, addressing the current lack of natural play areas at the school.

While the development involves the loss of a small area of public open space, this is considered to be outweighed by the educational benefits and the proposed enhancements to the remaining open space. These enhancements include surfaced footpaths, new landscaping, and wildflower meadow seeding, which will improve access and habitat. Concerns raised by local residents regarding visual impact, noise, and potential anti-social behaviour were addressed, with conditions imposed to control fencing colour and ensure the implementation of new landscaping. The proposal also includes a biodiversity net gain of 10%, with conditions to secure this and manage the habitat.

A582 Croston Road Junction Improvement, Preston

Planning permission was granted for a significant reconfiguration of the Croston Road junction on the A582 near Preston. The project aims to improve traffic flow and journey times by replacing the existing double roundabout with signal-controlled T-junctions. The scheme includes new cycle tracks, Toucan crossings, rerouting of Centurion Way, and the diversion of a public right of way.

This development is part of a wider programme to upgrade the A582 and is considered crucial for supporting economic growth and improving access to key employment and housing sites. While the proposal involves a departure from the Development Plan as it encroaches on land allocated for employment use, the council determined that the benefits of improved infrastructure and access outweigh the loss of this constrained hectare of land. Concerns from Leyland Trucks regarding the loss of employment land and traffic modelling were addressed, with the council concluding that the proposed junction design would not negatively impact their operations and would, in fact, improve access for heavy goods vehicles.

The development is located within the Green Belt, but it was deemed appropriate as it constitutes local transport infrastructure with a demonstrated need for a Green Belt location, and it does not materially harm the openness of the Green Belt. Ecological concerns have been addressed through extensive surveys and proposed mitigation measures, including a 10% biodiversity net gain. Conditions have been imposed to manage surface water, protect water mains and sewers, and ensure archaeological investigations are carried out, including a strip, map and record approach for areas of historical significance and the protection of a historic milestone.

Decisions by the Director of Environment and Regulatory

The committee received an update on decisions taken by the Director of Environment and Regulatory under the County Council's Scheme of Delegation. These decisions related to various planning applications across different boroughs, including prior approvals for solar PV installations, compliance with conditions for existing planning permissions for developments such as anaerobic digestion plants and housing estates, and non-material amendments to existing permissions. These decisions were noted by the committee.